v«>lr 


1 


LIBRA.RY 

OF  TUE 

Theological   Seminary, 

.     PRINCETON,    N.  J. 


Case,, 

Shelf, 

Book, 


DTvision, 
Secti. 

■t:-r 


i 


A  DIGEST, 

COMPILED  FROM  THE  RECORDS 

OF    THE 

GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 

OF    THE 
IN    THE 

UJS'ITEB  ST.ITES  OF  AMERICA, 

AND  FROM  THE  RECORDS 

OF  THE  LATE  SYNOD  OF  NEW  YORK  AND 
PHH.ADELPHIA, 

OF    THEIR 

ACTS  AND  PROCEEDmeS, 

THAT  APPEAR  TO  BE 
OF  PERMANENT  AUTHORITY  AND  INTEREST  i 

TOGETHER  WITH 

A  SHORT  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  MISSIONS 
COjVI)  UC  ted  B  Y  the  pre  SB  YTERIAA'  CHUR  CH\ 


BY  ORDER  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMIbLY. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 

PRINTED    FOR  THE   TRUSTEES    OF   THE   ASSEMBLY   BY 

R.    P.    M^CULLOH. 


1820. 


Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania^  to  wit  : 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,    That   on   the  fourth  day  of  March,  in  the  forty-fourth 
year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  A.  D.  1820, 
•5«^^X^^^*     the  Reverend  JACOB  J.  JANEWAY,  D.  D.  and   K«.BERT  RALS- 
3fj  ^    TON,   Esquire,  on  behalf  of  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly 

^1  1       W    l^^    °^  ^^^  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America,  of  the 
3(|  J-<«  *J'  \^    said  Distrct,  hav«  depos.ted  in  this  office  the  Title  of  a  Book,  the 

3tl '?(    rig^ht  whereof  they  claim   as  Proprietors,   in  the  words  following, 

^>t?)K>*^>*C*(*     to  wit: 

"  A  Digest,  compiled  from  the  Records  of  the  General  Assembly,  of  the  Pres- 
"  byterian  Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  from  the  Re- 
*'  cords  of  the  late  synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  of  their  Acts 
«  and  Proceedings,  that  appear  to  be  of  permanent  Authority  and  Inter- 
**  est ;  together  with  a  short  Account  of  the  Missions  conducted  by  the 
«  Presbyterian  Church.    By  order  of  the  General  Assembly." 

In  confonnity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled  "  An  Act 
for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing  tlie  cop.es  of  maps,  charts  and  books, 
to  the  Authors  and  Proprietors  of  such  copies  during  the  time  therein  mentioned."— 
And  also  to  the  Act,  ntitled,  •'  An  Act  supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled,  '  An  Act 
for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securmg  the  copies  of  maps,  charts  and  books, 
to  the  Authors  and  Proprietors  of  such  Copies  during  the  times  therein  mentioned,* 
and  extending  the  benehts  thereof  to  the  Arts  of  designing,  engraving,  and  etching 
historical  and  other  prints." 

D.  CALDWELL, 

Clerk  qft/ie  JEastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


EXTllACT 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1818. 


THE  followini^  overture  was  submitted  to  the 
Assembly,  and  being  amended,  was  adopted  :   viz. 

Resolved,  That  Drs.  Janeway,  Neill,  and  Ely, 
be  appointed,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee, to  extract  from  the  records  of  the  General 
Assembly,  ant]  of  the  late  Synod  of  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  all  sucli  matters  as  may  appear  to  be 
of  permanent  authority  and  interest,  (including  a 
short  account  of  the  manner  in  which  Missions  have 
been  conducted,  and  their  success,)  that  the  same 
may  be  published  for  the  information  of  ministers 
and  people  in  our  churches ;  and  that  they  report 
the  same  to  the  next  Assembly. 

Resolved,  That  said  Committee  be  authorized, 
and  tliey  are  hereby  authorized,  to  employ  a  per- 
son to  transcribe  any  part  of  the  records,  that  may 
be  necessary  fur  the  above  v/ork. 


EXTRACT 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembhj  in  1819 


THE  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assem- 
bly, to  extract  from  the  records  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, and  of  the  late  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phi- 
ladelphia, all  such  matters  as  may  appear  to  be  of 
permanent  authority  and  interest^  reported  ;  where- 
upon, 

JResolvedy  That  the  work  reported  by  the  Com- 
mittee, be  completed  on  the  plan  reported  ;  and 
that  when  thus  finished,  the  Committee  be  autho- 
rised to  have  4000  copies  printed,  and  offered  for 
sale  at  a  reasonable  price. 

Resolved^  That  the  Trustees  of  the  General  As- 
sembly be  requested  to  defray  the  expense  of  print- 

Jns;  the  above  work,  and  secure  the  copy  rii^ht  of  it; 

/\nd  that  the  Presbyteries  be  requested  to  promote 
the  sale  of  the  same. 


PREFACE 


Ti 


HE  General  Assembly  is  the  Supreme  Judicatory  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  As  such  it  superintends  the  general 
interests  of  all  our  churches,  and  constitutes  "  the  bond  of 
union,  peace,  correspondence,  and  mutual  confidence"  among 
them.  It  is  invested  with  power  to  preserve  a  due  regard  to 
the  principles  of  our  ecclesiastical  government  in  all  the  Sy- 
nods, Presbyteries,  and  Sessions ;  and  to  bear  "  testimony 
against  error  in  doctrine  or  immorality  in  practice"  in  any 
portion  of  the  church . 

Established  for  purposes  so  important,  and  invested  with 
powers  so  extensive,  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly must  necessarily  be  interesting  to  the  whole  Presbyterian 
Church ;  and  consequently  the  knowledge  of  them  ought  to 
be  diligently  and  extensively  circulated  among  the  members 
of  that  church. 

From  the  very  commencement  of  their  operations,  it  has 
been  the  uniform  practice  of  the  General  Assembly  to  pub- 
lish annually  extracts  from  their  minutes,  that  were  deemed 
important  and  interesting.  But  such  is  the  extent  of  territory 
over  which  our  church  is  spread,  and  so  rapid  has  been  its 
increase,  that  the  measures  heretofore  adopted  for  diffusing 
a  knowledge  of  the  Acts  and  proceedings  of  its  Supreme  Ju- 
dicatory, have  proved  insufficient.  Very  few  of  our  ministers 
are  in  possession  of  the  Printed  Extracts  that  compose  the 
first  volume;  and,  many  through  accident,  or  inattention,  have 
lost  part  of  those  which  constitute  the  second.  Indeed  it  is 
apprehended  that  the  number  even  of  Presbyteries  posses- 
sing these  records  of  the  General  Assembly  is  sjnall. 

A  2 


vi  PREFACE. 

Thus  destitute  of  the  mcaDs  of  information,  it  is  not  pos- 
sible for  the  meiVibers  of  the  lower  judicatories  of  our  church 
to  be  so  accurately  and  intimately  acquainted  with  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Supreme  Judicatory  as  they  ought;  and  the  ne- 
cessary consequence  of  this  impei-fect  knowledge  is  the  omis- 
sion of  important  duties  prescribed  for  the  general  good,  and 
want  of  that  unity  of  operation  that  should  ever  characterize 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

To  correct  this  state  of  things,  several  attempts  have  been 
made.  In  the  year  1809,  the  stated  clerk,  in  execution  of  an 
order  of  the  General  Assembly,  collected  from  the  manuscript 
minutes,  and  methodically  arranged,  under  different  heads, 
whatever  appeared  to  be  of  a  permanent  nature,  in  what  is 
denominated  The  Grxekaj.  Assembly's  Book  of  Rules. 
In  this  book  a  few  articles  were  transcribed  ;  but  references 
were  made  to  the  volume  and  page  where  others  were  to  be 
found,  marked  v.Mth  a  pencil  in  the  margin,  so  as  to  facilitate 
a  publication,  whenever  it  should  be  ordered.  Members  ot 
the  Assembly  being  desirous  of  possessing  all  the  printed  ex- 
tracts,  attempts  were  afterwards  made  to  have  them  reprint- 
ed. Proposals  were  issued  for  the  purpose;  but  the  sub- 
scriptions received  did  not  warrant  the  accomplishment  of  the 
design.  Desirous,  however,  to  supply  their  church  with  the 
means  of  becoming  acquainted  with  their  acts  and  proceed- 
ings, the  General  Assembly,  in  1818,  appointed  a  committee 
to  perform  a  duty  which  has  given  birth  to  this  publication. 

This  volume  will  be  found  to  contain,  not  only  every  thing 
of  permanent  authority,  scattered  through  the  printed  ex- 
tracts, but  a  number  of  interesting  articles  never  before  pub- 
lished, as  v/ell  from  the  Records  of  the  late  Synod  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia  as  from  those  of  the  Assembly. 

The  operations  of  the  General  Assembly,  constituted  in 
the  year  1788,  by  that  Synod,  and  convened  for  the  first  time 
in  1789,  embrace  a  period  of  thirty  years.  Their  manuscript 
minutes  fill  three  large  folios;  and  their  printed  extracts 
amount  to  more  than  three  octavo  volumes.  All  these  have 
been  carefully  searched,  together  with  a  folio  containing  the 
manuscript  records  of  the  late  Synod,  in  quest  of  materials  for 
this  book.  Whatever  could  be  found  in  these  volumes  of 
permanent  authority  or  interest,  has  been  selected  and  ar- 
ranged under  proper  heads. 


PREFACE.  vii 

In  preparing  this  publication,  the  Committee  could  not 
content  themselves  with  throwing-  together  the  various  ar- 
ticles, without  any  other  regard  to  order,  than  that  of  time, 
or  that  which  they  were  found  to  possess  in  the  printed  ex- 
tracts. Had  they  aimed  at  nothing  more  than  this,  the  la- 
bour would  have  been  comparatively  easy;  but  their  work 
would  have  been  defective  in  a  material  point.  They  wished 
to  make  it  useful ;  and  to  render  it  useful,  they  were  sensible 
that  a  perspicuous  method  was  of  prime  importance. 

This  book  is  divided  into  thirteen  parts.  The  parts  are 
subdivided  into  chapters,  and  each  chapter  into  sections.  The 
headings  of  the  sections  are  printed  in  Italics,  to  enable  a  per- 
son, by  glancing  his  eye  over  the  pages,  to  find  any  article 
he  wishes.  Still  further  to  facilitate  the  use  of  this  book,  a 
Table  of  Contents  is  placed  at  the  beginning,  and  an  Index 
at  the  end.  A  brief  historic  sketch  of  the  Missionary  exer- 
tions of  the  PresJDyterian  Church,  will  be  found  at  the  close  of 
this  volume. 

The  Committee  have  avoided  the  use  of  their  o\\ti  words, 
as  much  as  could  be  done,  consistently  with  what  they  con- 
ceived to  be  the  design  of  this  publication.  It  was  deemed 
necessary  to  give  headings  to  the  various  articles  composing 
the  volume,  for  the  sake  of  order,  as  well  as  to  assist  in  find- 
ing articles  as  they  might  be  needed.  A  few  notes  have  been 
added  for  the  purpose  of  explaining  the  connexion  of  certain 
extracts  or  transactions ;  which,  without  resorting  to  this  ex- 
pedient, Avould  have  required  the  printing  of  more  copious 
selections.  But  in  all  cases  it  will  be  easy  for  the  reader,  to 
distinguish  the  words  of  the  Committee  from  those  of  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly,  or  of  the  Synod. 

To  assist  those  who  wish  to  study  accurately  the  acts  and 
proceedings  of  the  Assembly,  the  year  has  been  generally 
noted ;  and  for  the  convenience  of  Commissioners,  while  at- 
tending the  sessions  of  that  body,  the  volume  and  the  page 
of  the  manuscript  minutes  have  been  marked,  where  any  ar- 
ticle, in  regard  to  which  it  was  supposed  a  reference  to  the 
original  records  might  be  desired,  will  be  found. 

For  the  benefit  of  inexperienced  members,  the  Committee 
have  taken  the  liberty  of  describing  the  manner  in  which  the 
Assembly  is  organized,  and  the  mode  in  which  business  is 
usually  done ;  referring  all  along  to  the  rules  which  govern 
the  proceedings  of  that  body,  and  prescribe  the  duties  of  the 


viii  PREFACE. 

various  committees  annually  appointed.  To  such  members, 
it  is  presumed,  this  book  will  be  particularly  useful,  while 
attending  on  the  sessions  of  the  Assembly.  And  may  not  the 
hope  be  indulged,  that  all  our  ministers  will,  by  th  assist- 
ance of  this  publication,  be  enabled  to  become  more  tho- 
roughly acquainted  with  the  duties  they  have  to  perform  as 
members  of  Sessions,  Presbyteries  and  Synods?  All  the  acts 
of  the  Assembly  relating  to  these  judicatories,  will  be  found 
arranged  under  proper  heads  ;  and  by  turning  to  them,  mini- 
sters will  find  various  duties  that  claim  their  attention,  while 
acting  as  members  of  these  judicatories.  Ruling  Elders  will 
find  equal  benefit  from  consulting  this  depository  of  the  As- 
sembly's acts  and  proceedings. 

The  utility  of  this  book  will  not  terminate  with  the  officers 
of  our  church.  Matter  will  be  found  in  it  interesting  to  pri- 
vate christians.  By  perusing  it,  they  will  learn  what  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  has  done  in  the  great  and  important  con- 
cern of  Missions ;  what  she  is  doing  in  the  interesting  work 
of  training  up  a  numerous,  able  and  pious  ministry;  what 
relation  she  sustains  to  other  christian  churches ;  and  the  vi- 
gilance and  faithfulness  with  which  the  General  Assembly,  in 
superintending  her  affairs,  have  endeavoured  to  preserve  purity 
of  faith,  soundness  in  principle,  holiness  of  life,  peace  and  har- 
mony among  all  her  members. 

This  volume,  then,  should  be  not  only  found  in  the  hands 
of  every  officer,  but  extensively  circulated  among  the  fami- 
lies of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Committee  devoutly  commend  it  to  the  care  and  bles- 
sing of  Almighty  God,  and  humbly  trust  that  their  labour 
will  not  be  in  vain.  If  this  publication  shall  contribute  to  the 
gratification  of  their  fathers  and  brethren  in  Christ;  if  it  shall 
be  the  means  of  introducing  more  order  and  unity  in  the  ope- 
rations of  the  Church;  if  it  shall  throw  light  upon  points  of 
duty ;  if  it  shall  subserve,  in  any  degree,  the  great  interests 
of  religion:  they  will  deem  themselves  amply  rewarded  for 
all  the  time  spent,  and  all  the  labour  bestowed,  in  collecting 
VLYkd  arranging  materials  scattered  through  so  many  volumes. 


''^^iV,-   i^^ryv^^jr. 


PART  I. 
OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 

CHAP.  I.      (\f  its  Constitution       -  -  13 

II.   Of  its  annual  organization     -  16 

III.  Of  its  mode  of  doing  business  18 

IV.  Of  its  officers       ^         -         -  30 

PART  n. 

OF  THE  SYNODS. 

CHAP.  I.     Of  their  Constitution     -         -         87 
II.   Of  their  duties      -         -         -         46 

PART  ni. 
OF  THE  PRESBYTERIES. 

CHAP.  I.      Of  their  Constitution     -         -         52 
IT.   Of  their  Duties     -         -         -         61 

III.  Of  their  Reports  -         -         82 

PART  IV. 
OF  THE  SESSIONS. 

CHAP.  I.      Of  their  Duties  -         -  92 

II.   Of  cases  of  Baptism      -         -  94 

m.   Of  cases  of  Marriage  -  99 

IV.  Of  sundry  recommendations  and 

directions  -         -         -       107 


CONTENTS. 


PART  V. 

OF  THE  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH  AND 
FORM  OF  CHURCH  GOVERNMENT. 

CHAP.  I.     Of  the  acts  of  the  late  Synod  of  JSTew 
York  and  Philadelphia     -         117 
XL   Of  the  acts  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly ....         125 

PART  YI. 
OF  THE  FUNDS  AND  TRUSTEES. 

CHAP.  I.     Of  the  Missionary  Fund     -  159 

II.    Of  the  Permanent  Fund       -  169 

m.   OfJhe  Commissioners^  Fund  171 

lY.  Of  the  Seminary's  Fund      -  177 

V.  Of  the  Trustees  -         -  192 

PART  VII. 
OF  MISSIONS. 

CHAP.  I.     Of  Domestic  Missions        -         202 
II.     Of  Foreign  Missions  •         216 

PART  VIII. 

OF  THE  EDUCATION  OF   PIOUS 
YOUTH       -         -  -         -         221 

PxVRT  IX. 
OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY, 

GHAP.  I.     Of  preliminary  acts  of  the  Assem- 
bly .         -         .         -         231 


CONTENTS.  M 

CHAP.  n.    Of  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary       239 
III.   Of  the  location  of  the  Seminary  260 
ly.   Of  the  mode  of  choosing  Direc- 
tors and  Professors  -         265 
V.   Of  resolutions  of  the  Assembly  in 
relation  to  the  Directors^  Agents 
and  others       -         -         -         269 

PART  X. 

OF  MINISTERS  AND  MISSIONA- 
RIES   272 

PART  XI. 

OF  INTERCOURSE    WITH   OTHER 
CHURCHES. 

CHAP.  I.  Of  the  manner  of  receiving  For- 
eign Ministers  and  Licentiates 
into  our  Church      -         -  280 

II.   Of  the  General  Association  of  Con- 
necticut -         -         -         292 

m.   Of  the  Convention  of  Vermont  300 

lY.   Of  the    General    Association  of 

JSTew  Hampshire      -         -  303 

V.  Of  the    General    Association  of 

Massachusetts  -         -         305 

VI.  Of  Delegates  to  the  Associations  307 
Vn.   Of  the  ^*m^hern  Associate  Pres- 
bytery, §*c.      -         -         -         309 

VIII.  Of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
and  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church  -         -        -        311 


Xii  CONTENTS. 

PART  xn. 

OF  GENERAL  DECISIONS. 

CPAP.  I.     Of  Psalmody      -         -         -         313 
II.    Of  Extracts  from  the  Records  of 
the  late  Synod  of  jyew  York 
and  Philadelphia     -         -         318 

III.  Of  sundry  points  of  order    -         321 

IV.  Of  Baptized  children  -^         327 
Y.   Of  Appeals          -         -         -         331 

PART  xin. 
OF  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER. 

CHAP.  I.  Of  testimony  in  favour  of  certain 
principles  and  against  certain 
vices     >         -         -         -  337 

11.   Of  monies  in  the  hands  of  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  College  of  JSTew  Jer- 
sey -         -         .         .         35y 
lU.  Of  the  History  of  the  Presbyterian 

Church  -         -         -         361 

PART    XIV. 
A  SHORT  ACCOUNT  OF  MISSIONS    367 


PART   I. 


OF  THE 


©m^i^iBiiiL  Ag^nmiBiLir^ 


CHAPTER  I. 

OF  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  GENERAL 
ASSEMBLY. 


Jl  he  General  Assembly  was  constituted,  in  the 
year  1788,  by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phi- 
ladelphia, as  appears  from  the  following  extracts 
from  their  records. 

Sect.  1.  An  overture  was  brought  in,  Thai, 
.pyoK  for  the  better  management  of  the  Churches 
under  our  care,  this  Synod  be  divided  into 
three  Synods ;  and  that  a  General  Synod,  or  As- 
sembly be  constituted  out  of  the  whole. — The  Sy- 
nod agreed  to  enter  on  the  consideration  of  this  over- 
ture, on  the  first  Friday  after  tlieir  next  meeting, 
and  appointed  Dr.  Smith  to  transmit  a  copy  of 
this  overture  to  such  of  the  Presbyteries,  as  are 
not  at  present  represented  in  Synod;  and  earnestly 
urge  their  attendance  at  our  next  meeting. — Page 
388, 

B 


14  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  1, 

Sect.  2.  The  following  motion  was  made  and 
A>-'Cia  seconded,  viz.  The  Synod  considering  the 
number  and  extent  of  the  Churches  under 
their  care,  and  the  inconvenience  of  the  present 
mode  of  Government  by  one  Synod ;  Resolvedy 
That  this  Synod  will  establish  out  of  its  own  body 
three  or  more  subordinate  Synods,  out  of  which 
shall  be  composed  a  General  Assembly,  Synod, 
or  Council,  agreeably  to  a  System  hereafter  to  be 
adopted. 

Upon  the  question  being  put,  Will  the  Synod 
adopt  the  resolution  aforesaid,  or  not  ?  it  was  car- 
ried in  the  affirmative. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  to 
prepare  and  report  a  plan  for  the  division  of  the 
Synod  into  three  or  more  Synods,  viz.  Drs.  Rodg- 
ers.  Smith,  Duffield,  Alison,  Messrs.  Latta,  Mar- 
tin, Matthew  Wilson,  Graham,  Houston,  James 
Finley,  and  Hall. — Page  397. 

For  the  particulars  of  this  plan  see  under  Sy- 
nods and  Presbyteries. 

Sect.  3.  Resolved  tinanimously,  That  this  Sy- 
A>jGQ  nod  be  divided;  and  it  is  hereby  divided 
'  into  four  Synods ;  agreeably  to  an  act  made, 
and  provided  for  that  purpose  in  the  Sessions  of 
Synod,  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  eighty-six :  and  this  division  shall  commence 
on  the  dissolution  of  tlie  present  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  first  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly  to  be  constituted  out  of  the  above  four 
Synods  be  held,  and  it  is  hereby  appointed  to  be. 
held,  on  the  third  Thursday  of  May,  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  eighty-nine ;  in  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 


CHAP.  I.]  THE  CONSTITUTIOX.  15 

at  eleven  o'clock^  A.  M.  and  that  Dr.  Wither- 
spoon^  or,  in  his  absence,  Dr.  Rodgers,  open  the 
General  Assembly,  with  a  Sermon ;  and  preside 
till  a  Moderator  be  chosen. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  New  York,  and 
New  Jersey,  meet  on  Wednesday  the  twenty-ninth 
day  of  next  October,  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  the  City  of  New  York,  at  three  o'clock, 
P.  M.  and  that  the  present  Moderator,  or,  in  his 
absence,  the  senior  Minister  present,  open  the  Sy- 
nod, with  a  Sermon ;  and  preside  till  a  Moderator 
be  chosen. 

Resolved^  That  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia  meet 
on  the  third  Wednesday  of  October  next,  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  and  that  Dr. 
Ewing,  or,  in  his  absence,  the  senior  Minister  pre- 
sent, open  the  Synod,  with  a  Sermon;  and  preside 
till  a  Moderator  be  chosen. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  Virginia  meet  on 
the  fourth  Wednesday  of  October  next,  at  eleven 
o'clock,  A.  M.  at  New  Providence  Church ;  and 
that  Mr.  Sankey,  or,  in  his  absence,  the  senior  Mi- 
nister present,  open  the  Synod,  with  a  Sermon; 
and  preside  till  a  Moderator  be  chosen. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  meet 
on  the  first  Wednesday  of  November  next,  at  ele- 
ven o'clock,  A.  M.  at  Centre  Church,  in  Roan 
County;  and  that  Mr.Patillo,  or,  in  his  absence  the 
senior  Minister  present,  open  the  Synod,  with  a 
Sermon;  and  preside  till  a  Moderator  be  chosen. 

The  Synod  was  then  Dissolved. 

Page  452. 


16  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PA5:T  1. 


CHAPTER  II. 


OF  THE  ANNUAL  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GE 
NERAL  ASSEMBLY. 


Sect.  1.  Xmm^tliately  after  public  worship,  on  the 
day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly,  the 
Moderator  takes  the  chair ;  and  having  called  the 
commissioners  to  order,  offers  prayer  to  Almighty 
God  for  his  direction  and  blessing. 

Sect,  2.  The  Moderator  then  calls  for  the  com- 
missions ;  which  being  delivered  to  the  clerk,  and 
publickly  read,  a  list  of  the  commissioners  is  made 
out,  in  the  order  of  the  Presbyteries. 

RULE. 

The  Assembly  having  proceeded  to  business 
without  attending  sufficiently  to  the  order  prescrib- 
ed in  the  Constitution,  respecting  the  commissions 
of  the  members;  and  having  been  led  into  that  in- 
attention by  precedents  in  the  former  sessions  of 
the  General  Assembly;  it  was  thought  necessary 
to  declare : — That  the  business  ought  not,  in  future, 
to  be  entered  upon  by  the  Assembly,  until  the  com- 
missions delivered  to  the  clerk  shall  have  been 
publickly  read,  according  to  the  express  letter  of 
the  Constitution.— 1791.    Vol.  I.  Page  26. 


CHAP.  II.]  THE  ORGANIZATION.  17 

Sect.  3.  The  list  of  the  commissioners  present 
being  completed,  a  new  Moderator  is  chosen. 

RULE. 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  it  be  a  standing  rule 
of  the  General  Assembly,  in  choosing  a  Moderator, 
that  any  commissioner  may  nominate  a  candidate 
for  the  chair.  The  candidates  so  pointed  out  shall 
then,  severally  give  their  votes  for  some  one  of 
their  number  and  Avithdraw;  when  the  remaining 
commissioners  shall  proceed,  viva  voce,  to  choose 
by  a  plurality  of  voices,  one  of  the  said  candidates 
for  Moderator.     1791.— Vol.  I.  Page  38. 

Sect.  4.  A  Moderator  having  been  duly  chosen, 
the  former  Moderator  before  he  resigns  his  seat, 
addresses  him  and  the  Assembly,  thus: 

Sir — It  is  my  duty  to  inform  you,  and  announce 
to  this  house,  that  you  are  duly  elected  to  the  of- 
fice of  Moderator  in  this  General  Assembly. — ^For 
your  direction  in  office,  and  for  the  direction  of  this 
Assembly  in  all  your  deliberations,  before  I  leave 
this  seat,  I  am  to  read  to  you  and  this  house  the  rules 
contained  in  the  records  of  this  Assembly;  which  I 
doubt  not  will  be  carefully  observed  by  both,  in 
conducting  the  business  that  may  come  before  you. 

[Here  the  Moderator  is  to  read  the  rules,  and 
afterwards  add] 

Now,  having  read  these  rules,  according  to  or- 
der, for  your  instruction  as  Moderator,  and  for  the 
direction  of  all  the  members,  in  the  management  of 
business, — spraying  that  Almighty  God  may  direct 
and  bless  all  the  deliberations  of  this  Assembly  for 

B  2 


18  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  ]. 

the  glory  of  his  name^  and  for  the  edification  and 
comfort  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States, — I  resign  my  place  and  office  as  Modera- 
tor.—1791.     Vol.  I.  p.  30. 

Sect.  5.  The  new  Moderator  having  taken  his 
seat,  calls  the  attention  of  the  Assembly  to  the 
choice  of  a  temporary  clerk,  who  is  chosen  viva 
voce. 

RULE. 

Resolved^  That  it  be  considered  as  the  right 
of  every  member  of  the  Assembly,  to  vote  for  a 
clerk  who  is  not  a  member  of  the  body. — Vol.  I. 
Page  68.— 1793. 


CHAPTER  in. 

OF  THE  MODE  OF  DOING  BUSINESS. 


Sect.  1.  JL  HE  Assembly  having  been  duly  orga- 
nized, any  commissioner  who  has  lost  his  commis- 
i^ion  may  be  admitted  to  a  seat  on  proper  testimony. 

See  Vol.  I.  p.  3,  48,  69,  85,  104.— Vol.  II.  p. 
76,  77,  140,  276, 277,  308.— Vol.  UI.  p.  128,  177^ 
221,  229,  231,  &c. 

See  also.  Vol.  II.  p.  148,  149,  in  which  it  ap- 
pears that  opposition  was  made  to  this  practice  of 
receiving  commissioners  without  their  commissions. 


CHAP.  III.]      MODE  OF  DOING  BUSINESS.  19 

Sect.  2.  Commissioners  who  do  not  produce 
their  commissions  at  the  opening  of  the  Assembly, 
can  he  received  only  at  the  commencement  of  a  ses- 
sion. See  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XXII. 
Sect.  3. 

Sect.  3.  The  Moderator  directs  the  minutes  of 
the  last  General  Assembly  to  be  read ;  and  while 
the  temporary  clerk  is  reading  them,  a  docket  of 
such  business  as  may  require  the  attention  of  the 
Assembly,  is  prepared  by  the  permanent  clerk. 

Sect.  4.  The  minutes  having  been  read,  the 
Assembly  appoints  a  Committee  of  Bills  and 
Overtures,  and  the  Judicial  Committee;  who 
meet  at  the  hour  and  place  appointed  by  the  As- 
sembly, and  afterwards  on  their  ov,  n  adjournments. 

See  No.  Ill,  IV,  V,  of  the  general  rules. 

Sect.  5.  The  Assembly  set  apart  the  Mon- 
day next  succeeding  the  commencement  of  their 
sessions,  for  the  free  conversation  on  the  state  of  re- 
ligion. Written  reports  are  read  on  that  day  by 
the  Presbyteries  and  the  Eastern  Associations  con- 
nected with  the  General  Assembly;  accompanied 
with  verbal  information  from  members,  who  have 
any  important  particulars  to  communicate  that  are 
not  embraced  in  tlie  written  reports. 

RULE. 

I^Qrt  The  following  proposition  was  introduced 
through  the  committee  of  bills  and  overtures, 
that  the  General  Assembly  take  measures  to  bring 
into  distinct  view,  at  its  different  sessions,  the  situa- 
tion of  the  Presbyterian  Church  under  its  jurisdic- 


20  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  I. 

tion  in  the  United  States  of  America  with  respect  to 
the  state  of  Kelio'ion  in  the  difterent  Presbyteries  ; 
the  state  of  religious  denominations  among  them, 
and  tlie  most  probable  expedients  for  reviving  and 
promoting  the  essential  interests  of  Christ^s  king- 
dom in  the  world. 

Whereupon,  Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended 
to  each  fSynod  to  enjoin  it  upon  the  respective  Pres- 
byteries within  their  bounds,  to  specify  the  above 
particulars  in  the  annual  reports  which  they  make 
of  the  state  of  their  respective  churches,  to  be  laid 
before  the  General  Assembly  at  its  stated  meetings. 
17Q.^  0?«  Motion^  Resolved,  That  the  following 
clause  in  a  resolution  passed  by  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  of  1792  respecting  the  reports  of  Pre  - 
byteries  be  repealed,  viz.  "  The  state  of  religious 
denominations  among  them.'' 

Sect.  6.  In  the  course  of  the  sessions  of  the 
General  Assembly,  the  following  committees  are 
appointed. 

1.  The  committee  to  take  notes  of  the  free  con- 
versation on  the  state  of  religion,  and  to  prepare  and 
report  to  the  Assembly  a  connected  narrative  on  the 
subject.  . 

The  narrative  is  read  at  the  concert  prayer 
meeting. 

2.  A  committee  to  make  arrangements  in  regard 
to  the  exercises  proper  for  the  concert  prayer 
meeting,  annually  held  by  the  Assembly,  and  to  de- 
signate  the  persons  who  shall  lead  in  them. 

Public  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  meeting  is 
given  from  the  pulpits  of  the  several  Presbyterian 


CHAP.  III.]       MODE  OF  DOING  BUSINESS.  21 

Churches  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  people  are  in- 
vited to  attend. 

This  practice  was  commenced  in  the  year  1802, 
and  has  been  continued  ever  since. — See  Vol.  I.  p. 
290. 

3.  Committees  to  examine  the  records  of  the  dif- 
ferent Synods. 

4.  A  committee  on  the  reports  of  Synods  and 
Presbyteries. 

RULE. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  annually  appointed  a 
committee  of  Reports,  to  which  shall  be  referred 
all  reports  from  Presbyteries  and  Synods ;  and  of 
this  committee  it  shall  be  the  duty  to  compare  the 
reports  of  the  Synods  with  the  reports  from  the 
Presbyteries,  digest  the  whole,  and  read  them  to 
the  Assembly ;  and  also  make  a  statement  of  the 
Synods  and  the  Presbyteries  which  shall  have  ne- 
glected to  report.     1809.— -Vol.  11.  Page  277. 

5.  A  committee  to  prepare  an  abstract  of  the  re- 
ports of  Synods  and  Presbyteries  for  insertion  in 
the  Compendious  View. 

RULES, 

The  committee  would  further  propose  that  the 
Assembly,  should  make  it  a  standing  rule,  annu- 
ally to  appoint  a  committee,  who  shall  take  the  sy- 
nodical  and  presbyterial  reports,  after  they  have 
been  read  before  the  Assembly,  and  fill  up  the 
blanks  of  a  form,  prepared  to  exhibit  a  compendi- 
ous view  of  the  number  of  ministers,  congregations,^ 
licentiates,  candidates,  and  communicants,  together 
with  the  baptisms  and  collections  in  one  year. 

See  Part  HI.  Chap.  UI.  Sect.  2. 


22  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  I. 

On  Motion  Resolved^  That  the  committee  anmi- 
ally  appointed  to  prepare  the  result  of  the  reports 
of  Synods  and  Presbyteries  for  entrance  in  the 
book  kept  by  the  stated  clerk  for  that  purpose,  do 
carefully  compare  the  statement  of  monies  in  said 
reports  with  the  accounts  of  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Tioistees  of  the  Assembly,  that  all  errors  or  omis- 
sions may  be  carefully  corrected  before  the  entry 
be  made  by  the  stated  clerk.  Vol.  II.  Page  276. 
—1809. 

6.  A  committee  to  prepare  a  minute,  exhibit- 
ing what  the  Presbyteries  shall  appear  to  have 
done  in  relation  to  the  education  of  poor  and 
pious  youth  for  the  gospel  ministry,  after  inquiry 
shall  have  been  made  by  the  Assembly,  agreeably 
to  a  standing  rule  thus  expressed  : 

RULE. 

And  the  Assembly  did,  and  do  hereby  order, 
that  every  Presbytery  under  their  care,  make  an- 
nually a  report  to  the  Assembly,  stating  particu- 
larly what  they  have  done  in  this  concern,  or  why 
(if  the  case  so  shall  be)  they  have  done  nothing  in 
it;  and  that  the  Assembly  will,  when  these  Reports 
are  received,  consider  each  distinctly,  and  decide 
by  vote,  whether  the  Presbyteries  severally  shall 
be  considered  as  having  discharged  or  neglected 
their  duty  in  this  important  business.  1806. — Vol. 
II.  Page  180. 

See  minutes  on  this  subject,  published  in  differ- 
ent years  in  the  Assembly's  printed  extracts. 

7.  A  committee  to  ascertain  the  number  of  miles 
travelled  by  the  members  in  coming  to,  and  in  re- 
turning from,  the  Assembly,  and  to  apportion  to 


UHAP.  III.]       MODE  OF  DOING  BUSINESS.  23 

each  what  ought  to  be  allowed  him  out  of  the  com- 
missioner's fund  agreeably  to  the  rules  adopted  on 
the  subject. 

See  the  rules  in  Part  VI.  Chap.  III.  Sect.  1. 

8.  A  committee  to  meet  the  Trustees  of  the  Col- 
lege of  New  Jersey^  and  dispose  of  monies  in  their 
liands,  and  to  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

See  an  account  of  these  Monies  in  Part  XIV. 
Chap.  III. 

9.  A  committee  on  the  report  of  the  Board  of 
Missions ;  whose  duty  it  is  to  prepare  any  resolu- 
tions on  the  report  that  they  may  deem  proper  to 
be  submitted  to  the  Assembly  for  adoption. 

10.  A  committee  on  the  report  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  Theological  Seminary^  whose 
duty  is  similar  to  that  of  the  preceding  committee. 

11.  A  committee  to  select  such  parts  of  the  i\.s- 
sembly's  minutes,  as  they  may  deem  proper  for 
publication. 

Sect.  7.  The  Board  of  Missions  are  annu- 
ally chosen. 

See  Part  VIU.  Chap.  I. 

The  Trustees,  when  chosen,  are  elected  agree- 
ably to  the  rules  inserted  in  Part  VII.  Chap.  11, 

The  Delegates  to  the  General  Associations  in 
New  England,  and  to  the  General  Convention  of 
Vermont,  are  chosen  according  to  the  rules  adopt- 
ed for  the  purpose. 

See  Part  XII.  Chap.  VI. 


24  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  I. 

Sect,  8.  The  Assembly  inquires  of  the  Synods 
and  Presb^ieries,  whether  they  have  reported  on 
Missionary  business. 

RULE. 

The  Synods  and  Presbyteries  shall  report  on 
the  subject  of  missionaries^  and  missionary  busi- 
ness, only  to  the  Board  of  Missions  ;  and  to  secure 
a  regard  to  this  rule,  the  Assembly  will,  at  each 
annual  session,  inquire  whether  the  Synods  and 
Presbyteries  have  made  such  a  report. 

See' Part  III.  Chap.  III.  Sect.  2. 

Sect.  9.  General  Rules  for  regulating  the 
proceedings  of  the  Assembly,  which  are  read  by 
the  Moderator  before  he  resigns  his  seat  to  his 
successor. 

I.  The  Moderator  shall  take  the  chair  at  the 
hour  to  which  the  Assembly  stands  adjourned ; 
shall  immediately  call  the  members  to  order;  and 
on  the  appearance  of  a  quorum  shall  open  the  ses- 
sion with  prayer,  and  cause  the  minutes  of  the  pre- 
ceding sessions  to  be  read ;  and  on  every  adjourn- 
ment shall  conclude  with  prayer. 

H.  The  Moderator  may  speak  to  points  of  or- 
der, in  preference  to  other  members ;  rising  from 
his  seat  for  that  purpose ;  and  shall  decide  ques- 
tions of  order,  subject  to  an  appeal  to  the  house  by 
any  two  members. 

in.  The  General  Assembly,  at  every  meeting, 
shall  appoint  a  Committee  of  Bills  and  Overtures, 
to  prepare  and  digest  business  for  the  Assembly. 


CHAP.  III.]       MODE  OF  DOING  BUSINESS.  25 

Any  person  thinking  himself  aggrieved  by  this 
commitlee,  may  complain  to  the  xlssembly. 

IV.  Petitions,  questions  relating  either  to  doc- 
trine or  order,  intended  to  be  brought  before  the 
Assembly  for  decision,  and  in  general  all  new 
propositions,  tending  to  general  laws,  shall  usually 
be  laid  before  the  committee  of  bills  and  overtures, 
before  they  be  offered  to  the  Assembly. 


V.  The  Assembly  shall  also,  at  every  meeting,  ap- 
point a  committee,  to  be  styled  the  Judicial  Com 
mittee:  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  take  into  conside- 
ration all  appeals  and  references  brought  to  the 
Assembly ;  to  ascertain  whether  they  are  in  order, 
to  digest  and  arrange  all  the  documents  relating  to 
the  same ;  and  to  propose  to  the  Assembly  the  best 
method  of  proceeding  in  each  case. 

VI.  A  motion  made,  must  be  seconded,  and  af- 
terwards repeated  by  the  Moderator  or  read  aloud, 
before  it  be  debated  :  and  every  motion  shall  be  re- 
duced to  writing,  if  the  Moderator,  or  any  member, 
require  it. 

VII.  Any  member,  who  shall  have  made  a  mo- 
tion, shall  have  liberty  to  withdraw  it,  before  any 
debate  had  thereon :  but  not  afterwards,  without 
leave  of  the  Assembly. 


Vm.  On  questions  of  order,  adjournment,  post- 
ponement, commitment,  or  the  previous  question, 
no  member  shall  speak  more  than  once.     On  all 

c 


26  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  I. 

other  questions,  each  member  may  speak  twice,  but 
not  oftener,  without  express  leave  of  the  house. 

IX.  When  a  question  is  under  debate,  no  mo- 
tion shall  be  received  unless  to  amend  it,  to  commit 
it,  to  postpone  it,  for  the  previous  question,  or  to 
adjourn. 

X.  The  pre\ious  question  shall  be  in  this  form,^ 
Shall  the  main  question  be  now  put  P  and  until  it  is 
decided,  shall  preclude  all  amendment  and  farther 
debate  of  the  main  question.  If  the  pre\aous  ques- 
tion be  decided  in  the  affirmative,  the  debate  on  the 
main  question  may  proceed:  but  if  it  be  decided  in 
the  negative,  the  effect  shall  be  to  arrest  the  dis- 
cussion,  and  to  produce  an  indefinite  postponement 
of  the  main  question. 


XI.  An  amendment  may  be  moved  on  any  mo- 
rn, 
tion. 


tion,  and  shall  be  decided  before  the  original  mo- 


XII.  If  a  question  under  debate  contain  seve- 
ral parts,  any  member  may  have  it  divided,  and  a 
question  taken  on  each  part. 

XIII.  Every  member,  when  speaking,  shall  ad- 
dress himself  to  the  chair ;  and  shall  treat  his  fel- 
low members,  especially  the  Moderator,  with  de- 
cency and  respect :  If  a  member  act  disorderly,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Moderator,  and  the  privi- 
lege of  the  other  members,  to  call  him  to  order. 

XrV.  A  question  shall  not  be  called  up,  or  re- 
considered, at  the  same  sessions  of  the  Assembly 


CHAP.  III.]       MODE  OF  DOING  BUSINESS.  27 

at  which  it  has  been  decided,  unless  by  consent  of 
two  thirds  of  the  members  who  were  present  at  the 
decision. 

XV.  Any  member^  who  may  think  himself  ag- 
grieved by  a  decision  of  the  General  Assembly, 
shall  have  his  dissent  or  protest,  with  his  reasons, 
entered  on  the  records  of  the  Assembly^  or  filed 
among  their  papers,  if  given  in  before  the  rising  of 
the  Assembly. 

XVI.  If  any  member  act  indecently  or  disor- 
derly, contrary  to  these  rules,  the  Moderator  shall 
reprove,  or  otherwise  censure  him,  as  the  Assembly 
shall  judge  proper :  and  if  any  member  shall  think 
himself  denied  of  any  right,  or  unjustly  blamed  by 
the  Moderator,  he  shall  not  speak  disrespectfully 
to  him,  but  modestly  require  the  decision  of  the 
house  in  the  case.^ 

Sect.  10.     Particular  Rules. 

1.  Resolved^  That  every  letter  or  communica- 
tion addressed  to  the  Moderator,  be  opened  and 
read  by  him;  and,  at  his  discretion,  be  either  com- 
municated immediately  to  the  Assembly  for  their 
decision,  or  to  the  committee  of  overtures  to  be  by 
them  brought  before  the  house  in  the  ordinary 
channel.— Vol.  I.  p.  85.— 1794. 

2.  Resolved,  As  a  standing  rule  of  this  house, 
that  whenever  more  than  three  persons  are  standing 


*  These  Rules  remain  us  they  were  adopted  by  the  Assembly  in  1789, 
except  ihat  No.  IX.  was  slightly  altered  in  1791,  and  No.  IV.  ui  1819, 
when  No.  V.  was  inserted. 


28  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PAUT  I. 

lip  at  one  time^  the  Moderator  shall  require  them 
10  take  their  seats.— Yol.  I.  p.  63.— 1792. 

3.  Whereas  considerable  difficulties^  and  de- 
lays have  been  occasioned  by  members  entitled  to 
mUeage,  neglecting  to  give  their  names  and  distance 
to  the  committee  on  the  commissioners'  fund^  or 
giving  them  verbally,  or  some  giving  double  and 
some  the  single  distance ;  therefore.  Resolved^  That 
the  members  entitled  to  mileage,  shall  give  to  the 
committee  on  the  commissioners'  fund,  within  three 
days  after  the  appointment  of  said  committee,  in 
writing,  their  names,  the  names  of  their  Presby- 
teries, and  their  distance  from  home  to  the  Assem- 
bly; and  if  any  member  neglect  to  comply  with 
this  rule,  he  shall  forfeit  his  portion  of  said  fund  : 
and  that  no  member  may  be  ignorant  of  this  reso- 
lution, the  Moderator  shall  read  it  as  soon  as  the 
(  ommittee  on  said  fund  is  appointed  each  year. — 
1818.    Vol.  in.  p.  417. 

Sect.  11.  No  Corresponding  Members  can 
be  admitted  into  the  Assembly. 

Upon  motion  it  was  agi-eed.  That,  whereas  this 
Assembly,  copying  the  example  of  their  predeces- 
sors, have  admitted  several  ministers,  who  are  not 
commissioners,  to  join  in  their  deliberations  and 
conclusions,  but  not  to  vote  on  any  question  ;  And 
although  this  Assembly  has  been  much  indebted  to 
the  wise  counsels  and  friendly  assistance  of  these 
corresponding  ministers,  nevertheless,  on  mature 
deliberation,  it  was  resolved  as  the  opinion  of  this 
house ; — 


CHAP.  III.]       MODE  OF  DOING  BUSINESS.  29 

1.  That  no  delegated  body  has  a  right  to  trans- 
fer its  powers,  or  any  part  thereof,  unless  express 
provision  is  in  its  constitution. 

2.  That  this  Assembly  is  a  delegated  body,  and 
no  such  provision  is  in  its  constitution. 

3.  Although  such  admission  has  hitherto  produ- 
ced no  bad  consequences,  it  may,  nevertheless,  at 
some  future  day,  be  applied  to  party  purposes,  and 
cause  embarrassment  and  delay. — Wherefore,  JKe- 
solvedf — 

4.  And  lastly.  That  the  practice  of  this  Assem- 
bly, in  this  case,  ought  not  to  be  used  as  a  prece- 
dent  in  future. — 1791.    Vol.  I.  page  42. 


Sect.  12.  After  the  minutes  have  been  read,  The 
Roll  is  called,  to  ascertain  whether  any  commis- 
sioner have  left  the  house  without  permission. 

RULE. 

Whereas  it  has  frequently  happened  that  mem- 
bers of  this  Assembly,  neglecting  their  duty  and  in- 
attentive to  the  rules  of  decorum,  have  abruptly  left 
the  Assembly  and  returned  home  without  leave  of 
absence — Resolved,  That  in  all  similar  cases,  which 
shall  occur  in  future,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
clerk  of  this  house,  to  give  notice  thereof  to  the 
Presbyteries  to  which  such  delinquent  members 
may  belong;  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  said 
Presbyteries,  in  their  settlements  with  such  delin- 
quents, not  to  allow  them  any  compensation  for  ser- 
vices as  members  of  the  Assembly.  Vol.  I.  p.  271, 
1801. 

C2 


30  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [pART  L 

Sect.  13.  The  vote  being  taken  for  the  dissolv- 
ing the  Assembly,  the  Moderator  dissolves  it,  and 
requires  another  General  Assembly  to  meet,  agree- 
ably to  constitutional  direction;  and,  having  offered 
up  prayer  and  thanksgiving  to  Almighty  God,  pro- 
nounces the  apostolic  benediction. 

See  Form  of  Government.  Chap.  XXII.  Sect.  6. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

')]'  THE  OFFICERS   OF   THE   GENERAL  ASSEM- 
BLY. 


Sect.  1.    yfF  THE  Permanent  Clerk. 

Resolved,  That  a  Permanent  Recording 
1802  ^^^^'^^  ^^  chosen,  Avhose  duty  it  shall  be, 
from  year  to  year,  to  draught  the  minutes 
of  the  Assembly  during  their  sessions,  and  after- 
wards to  perform  such  services  respecting  tran- 
scribing, printing,  and  distributing  the  extracts,  as 
"shall  be  assigned  to  him  from  time  to  time ;  and  that 
he  be  paid  out  of  the  funds  of  the  Assembly,  three 
dollars  per  day,  for  the  time  he  shall  be  employed, 
as  well  during  the  sessions  of  the  Assembly  as  af- 
ter their  dissolution. — Vol.  I.  p.  274. 


CHAP.  IV.]  THE    OFFICERS.  81 

On  Motion  Resolved,  That  hereafter 
^Tsoe"*"    the  Permanent  Clerk  shall  receive  S2, 
per  day,  during  the  sessions  of  the  As- 
semhly,  and  S 1  50  per  day,  while  necessarily  at- 
tending upon  the  business  of  the  Assembly  after 
their  adjournment. — Vol.  II.  p.  190. 

The  Permanent  Clerk  shall  furnish  all  the  sta- 
Duties.  tionary  for  the  use  of  the  Assembly  and  the 
1807.  several  clerks :  He  shall  make  the  original 
draughts  of  all  the  minutes,  and  give  certified 
copies,  as  occasion  may  require,  of  all  such  as  may 
be  proper  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Trustees  of  the 
General  Assembly,  or  any  of  their  officers.  After 
the  Assembly  rises,  from  year  to  year,  he  shall 
carefully  revise  the  manuscript,  render  it  correct, 
and  legible,  and  deliver  it  over  to  the  stated  clerk. 
He  shall  receive  a  reasonable  compensation  for  the 
stationary  supplied  by  him,  and  the  pay  {per  diem) 
fixed  by  the  last  Assembly. — Yol.  II.  p.  204. 

Sect.  2.     Of  THE  Stated  Clerk. 

The  Stated  Clerk  shall  transcribe  for  the 
1807.  Pi'^^^^  ^"^^1  parts  as  may  be  necessary,  of 
the  minutes  ordered  to  l3e  published  from 
year  to  year ;  he  shall  correct  the  press,  and  super- 
intend the  printing  of  all  the  minutes  and  papers 
>vhich  shall  be  ordered  to  be  printed  by  the  Grene- 
ral  Assembly.  As  soon  as  the  extracts  are  printed, 
from  year  to  year,  he  shall  send  one  copy  by  mail  to 
each  Presbytery,  and  apportion  and  send  the  rest  by 
private  conveyance  to  the  Presbyteries  and  other  bo- 
dies, as  shall  be  prescribed  by  the  Assembly,  only 
reserving  a  sufficient  number  of  copies  for  binding; 


32  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  J. 

he  shall  have  the  charge  of  all  the  books  and  papers 
of  the  General  Assembly;  shall  cause  their  minutes 
to  be  fairly  transcribed  into  the  book  or  books  pro- 
vided for  the  purpose,  and  give  attested  copies  of  all 
minutes,  and  other  documents,  when  properly  re- 
quired so  to  do.  As  a  compensation  for  his  servi- 
ces he  shall  veceivt  forty  dollars  per  annum;  be- 
sides the  reasonable  expenses  of  printing  and  pack- 
ing, and  all  sums  paid  by  him  for  the  postage  of 
letters  addressed  to  him  as  Stated  Clerk. — Vol.  II. 
p.  204. 

Ordered,  That  the  stated  clerk  extract  from 
A>y(\4  the  records  of  this  house  a  fair  copy  of  the 
rules,  for  conducting  the  business  thereof, 
and  at  every  stated  meeting  have  it  exposed  in  a 
public  part  of  the  house  that  all  the  members  may 
have  access  to  it  for  their  information. — Vol.  I. 
Page  31. 

And  whereas  the  Assembly  have  been  informed 
Papers  to  ^J  ^^'  T^odgcTs,  that  he  has  in  his  hands 
be  safely  other  important  records  of  the  former  judi- 
^Tftn9  catories  of  this  church,  the  Assembly  a'e- 
quested  Dr.  Rodgers  to  transmit  them  also 
to  the  Stated  Clerk,  to  be  kept  by  him  among  the 
archives  of  the  Assembly.  It  was  further  ordered, 
that  the  Stated  Clerk  do  not  deliver  any  records  or 
papers  in  his  possession  to  any  person,  unless  by 
order  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  then  that  he 
always  take  a  receipt  for  the  same. — Vol.  I.  p.  276. 

This  Assembly  presuming  on  the  concurrence  of 
their  successors,   do  resolve,  lastly,  that 
oftfrmiS.  there   shall    be  printed   annually^    or   as 
1791.    often  as  shall  be  thought  expedient,  a  state- 
ment of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  aris- 


CHAP.  IV.]  THE    OFFICERS.  33 

ing  from  said  collections,  in  which  shall  be  detailed 
all  the  churches  settled  and  vacant,  the  sum  (if  any) 
received  from  each,  for  what  purpose  received,  and 
how  applied.  And  that  each  Presbytery  shall  be 
furnished  with  at  least  as  many  copies  as  there  are 
churches  subordinate  thereto,  to  be  transmitted  to 
the  churches  for  their  information  and  satisfaction. 
— Yol.  I.  p.  39. 

On  Motion  Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  pro- 
vide a  copy  of  the  printed  extracts  of  the 
be  made,  l^te  Syiiod's  and  of  the  Assembly's  votes 
1794.    and  proceedings,  each  year  from  the  year 
1787,  and  that  he  preserve  them  for  the 
use  of  the  Assembly;  that  he  regularly  add  to  them 
such  as  may  be  printed  in  future ;  that  care  be  ta- 
ken to  have  them  printed  on  paper  of  the  same  size 
with  those  already  published ;  and  that  he  prepare 
an  accurate  index  to  these  printed  extracts,  and  to 
the  written  records  of  the  Assembly. — Vol.  I.  p.  89. 

On  Motion  Resolved,  That  a  catalogue  be  kept, 
according  to  seniority  in  the  ministry,  of 
Mtn?fters!^   the  uames  of  all  ministers  belonging  to  the 
1792.      Presbyterian  Church  in  America,  begin- 
ning May  1789,  the  period  when  the  first 
General  Assembly  met ;  and  that  after  the  decease 
of  any  minister  his  name  shall  be  marked  with  an 
asterism,  and  opposite  to  it,  in  a  column  for  that 
purpose,  the  time  of  his  death  shall  be  set  down; 
and  in  another  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  to  which 
he  last  belonged  :  and  the  names  of  new  members 
shall  be  added,  from  year  to  year,   when  the  Sy- 
nodical  and  Presbyterial  reports  shall  be  made. — 
Agreeably  to  the  above  resolution,  ordered,  that 
every  Presb\iery  belonging  to  this  body  shall  send 


34  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  I. 

up  to  the  next  General  Assembly  a  list  of  all  their 
members,  with  the  dates  of  their  ordination  respec- 
tively.—Vol.  I.  p.  60. 

On  Motion,   Ordered.  Tliat  in  all  cases  where 
the  General  Assembly  hath  ascertained,  or 
I8O0!    ^^^11  ascertain,  the  rate  of  compensation 
for  services  or  business  done,  or  to  be  done, 
by  any  person  employed  by  them,  the  treasurer  of 
the  corporation  shall  be  authorized  to  pay  the  same, 
on  a  fair  account  of  such  service  or  business  done 
being  first  presented  to  the  stated  clerk  of  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly  and  allowed  by'^him,    and  then 
exhibited  to  said  treasurer  for  payment. — Vol.  I. 
p.  234. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized 
AQAQ  and  directed  to  liquidate  all  accounts  for 
printing  done  by  order  of  the  Assembly :  and 
also  for  transmitting  the  printed  extracts  from  the 
minutes  of  the  Assembly  to  the  places  of  their  des- 
tination.— Vol.  IV. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  insert  the 
abstract  of  the  Presbyterial  reports  in  the  Compen- 
dious View. 

See  Vol.  n.  p.  220,  269,  276.— Vol.  III.  p. 
20,  120. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  publish  an- 
AQ4  0     nually  the  names  of  the  ministers  appointed 
by  the  Assembly  to  certify  the  character  of 
travelling  preachers. — Vol.  III.  p.  121. 

Resolved,  That  in  addition  to  the  existing  regu- 

^  lations  on  the  subject,  the  name  of  the 

'residence.''  Stated  Clerk,  and  the  place  of  his  resi- 

1808.     dence,  be  printed  on  tlie  copy  of  the  ex- 


CHAP.  IV.]  THE  OFFICERS.  35 

tracts  to  be  forwarded  by  mail ;  and  that  the  Pres- 
byteries liereafter,  or  any  member  of  Presbytery, 
give  notice  to  the  Stated  Clerk,  of  the  conveyance 
by  which  their  other  extracts  are  to  be  forwarded. — 
Vol.  n.  p.  252. 

liesolved,  That  the  Board  of  Missions  be  autho- 
rized always  to  insert  their  Missionary  appoint- 
ments in  the  appendix  to  the  printed  extracts. — 
Vol.  III.  p.  321. 

The  Stated  Clerk  was  authorized  to  engage  a 

lSt7     P^^'^^i^  to  print  the  extracts  which  are  to  be 

made  from  the  minutes  for  printing ;  and  also 

to  appoint  an  agent  to  forward  the  extracts  to  the 

several  Presbyteries. — Vol.  III.  p.  330. 

Sect,  3.     Of  the  Temporary  Clerk. 

Resolved^  That  a  Temporary  Clerk  be  chosen 
^.^    by  each  Assembly  as   heretofore,  to  read 
1802.  ^^^^  minutes  and  communications  to  the  As- 
sembly/ and  otherwise  aid  the  permanent 
clerk  as  occasion  may  require  ;  and  that  he  be  paid 
one  dollar  per  day  for  his  services. — Vol.  I.  p.  274. 

Resolved,  That  hereafter  the  Temporary  Clerk 
1  one     shall  receive  no  pecuniary  compensation  for 
his  services. — Vol.  II.  p.  191. 

Sect,  4.     Of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Trus- 
tees OF  THE  General  Assembly. 

On  Motion,  Ordered,  That  in  all  cases  where 

the  General  Assembly  hath  ascertained,  or 

1800.  ^hall  ascertain  the  rate  of  compensation  for 

services  or  business  done,  or  to  be  done,  by 


36  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  [PART  1. 

any  person  employed  by  them,  the  Treasurer  of 
the  corporation  shall  be  authorized  to  pay  the  same, 
on  a  fair  account  of  such  service  or  business  done 
being  first  presented  to  the  stated  clerk  of  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly  and  alloAved  by  him,  and  then  ex- 
hibited to  the  said  treasurer  for  payment :  and  it 
was  also  recommended  to  the  treasurer  of  the  cor- 
poration, as  soon  as  may  be  after  the  rising  of  the 
Assembly,  to  review  their  minutes,  and  to  take 
therefrom  an  account  of  all  the  appropriations  of 
money  that  they  may  have  made. — Vol.  I.  page 
235. 

An  exact  state  of  the  accounts  of  the  trustees,  is 
X.  1-1-. .      ^to  be  exhibited  by  their  treasurer  to  the 

Exhibition  of  ^  .,      .  ,  v 

his  Accounis.  Creneral  Assembly,  once  m  every  year, 
1801.  Whereupon  it  is  recommended;  That 
this  state  of  the  accounts,  be  laid  before 
the  Greneral  Assembly,  as  early  in  their  sessions  as 
possible,  in  order  that  the  General  Assembly  may 
know  what  appropriations  it  may  be  in  their  power 
to  make,  or  what  instructions  to  give  to  their  trus- 
tees, respecting   the   monies  in  hand. Vol.  I. 

p.  270. 

Resolved^  That  it  is  hereby  enjoined  on  all  per- 
i  ftOQ  ^^^1^?  holding  money  belonging  to,  or  col- 
lected for,  the  Assembly,  to  pay  the  same 
only  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Trustees ;  and  it  is  also 
enjoined  on  all  persons  to  whom  money  may  be 
due  from  the  Assembly,  if  they  do  not  personally 
apply  for  it,  to  give  their  written  orders  autho- 
rizing some  one  to  receive  the  money  for  them. — 
Vol.  II.  p.  289. 


PART  II. 


®s^  SHIS  ©i2r3a^®a)^o 


CHAPTER  I. 

OF  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  SYNODS. 


S^ct,  1.  Extracts  from  the  Records  of  the  late 
Synod  ofJSTew  York  and  Philadelphia. 

jL  our  committe  beg  leave  further  to  report,  that 
.  yj^r.  they  conceive  it  will  be  most  conducive  to 
the  interest  of  religion,  that  this  Synod  be 
divided  into  four  Synods ;  and  therefore  submit  to 
the  Synod  the  following  plan  for  dividing  the  Sy- 
nod of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  into  four  dis- 
tinct Synods,  subordinate  to  a  General  Assembly 
to  be  constituted  out  of  the  whole. 

1st.  That  one  of  the  said  Synods  shall  consist 
of  the  Presbyteries  of  Duchess  County,  Suffolk, 
New  York,  and  New  Brunswick;  to  be  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey. 

D 


38  THE   SYNOD.  [PART  II. 

2nd.  That  another  Synod  shall  consist  of  tlie 
Presbyteries  of  Philadelphia,  Lewis  Town,  New 
Castle,  Baltimore,  and  Carlisle ;  to  be  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Syxod  of  Philadelphia. 

3d.  That  another  Synod  shall  consist  of  the 
Presbjieries  of  Redstone,  Hanover,  Lexington,  and 
Transylvania ;  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Synod  of  Virginia. 

4th.  That  another  Synod  shall  consist  of  the 
Presbyteries  of  Abingdon,  Orange,  and  South  Car- 
olina ;  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Synod  of 
the  Carolinas. 

5th.  That  out  of  the  body  of  these  Synods, 
A  General  Assembly  shall  be  constituted  in  the 
following  manner;  viz.  That  every  Presbytery  shall, 
at  their  last  stated  meeting  preceding  the  meeting 
of  the  General  Assembly,  depute  to  the  General 
Assembly,  Commissioners,  in  the  following  propor- 
tion : — Each  Presbji;ery  consisting  of  not  more  than 
six  Ministers,  shall  send  one  Minister  and  one  El- 
der; each  Presbytery  consisting  of  more  than  six 
Ministers,  and  not  more  than  twelve,  shall  send 
two  Ministers  and  two  Elders ;  and  so  in  the  same 
proportion  for  every  six  Ministers :  and  these  Com- 
missioners, or  any  fourteen  of  them,  w  hereof  seven 
to  be  Ministers,  being  met  on  the  day  and  at  the 
place  appointed,  shall  be  competent  to  enter  upon 
business.  And  the  Judicatory  thus  constituted 
shall  bear  the  style  and  title  of  the  General  As- 
sembly OF  THE  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America. — Page  407. 

Jiesolved  unanimously^  That  tlie  Synod  be  di- 

178ft    ^  i^^<I  J  ^^^  it  is  hereby  divided  into  four 

Synods,  agreeably  to  an  act  made  and  pro- 

^ided  for  that  purpose  in  the  sessions  of  Synod,  in 


CHAP.  I.]  THE    CONSTITUTION.  39 

the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty 
six  :  and  this  division  shall  take  place  on  the  disso- 
lution  of  the  present  Synod. — p.  452. 

Sect,  2.     Extract  from  the  Assembly^  s  Records. 

On  Motion  Resolved,  That  the  river  Potomac  be 
^Q^     the  boundary  line  between  the  Synods  of 
'    Philadelphia  and  Virginia^  except  the  con- 
gregation of  Alexandria^    v^hich  shall  belong  to 
the  Synod  of  Philadelphia, 

Sect  3.    The  Synod  of  Virginia  divided  in  1802. 

Resolved,  Tliat  the  members  of  the  Synod  of 
Virginia^  agreeably  to  their  request,  be  divided  into 
three  Synods,  as  follows  ;  viz, 

1.  That  the  Presbyteries  of  Hanover,  Lexington, 
and  Winchester,  constitute  a  Synod;  to  be  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia:  That 
they  hold  their  first  meeting  at  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Lexington  in  Virginia,  on  the  last  Wed- 
nesday in  September  next,  and  be  opened  ^vith  a 
Sermon  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  James  Waddel,  or,  in  case 
of  his  absence,  by  the  next  senior  Minister  present; 
and  that  they  afterwards  meet  upon  their  own  ad- 
journments. 

2.  That  the  Presbyteries  of  Redstone,  Ohio,  and 
Erie,  be  constituted  a  Synod ;  to  be  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburgh  :  That  they 
hold  their  first  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Pittsburg,  on  the  last  Wednesday  in  Septem- 
ber next,  and  be  opened  w  ith  a  Sermon  by  the  Rev. 
James  Power,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  by  the  next 


40  THE    SYNODS.  [PART  11. 

senior  Minister  present ;  and  that  they  afterwards 
meet  on  their  own  adjournments. 

3.  That  the  Presbjieries  of  Transylvania,  West 
Lexington,  and  Washington,  be  constituted  a  Sy- 
nod ;  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky  :  That  their  first  meeting  be  held  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  town  of  Lexington  in 
Kentucky,  on  the  second  Thursday  in  October 
next,  and  be  opened  with  a  Sermon  by  the  Rev. 
James  AYelch,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  by  the 
next  senior  Minister  who  may  be  present;  and 
that  they  afterwards  meet  on  their  own  adjourn- 
ments. 

Resolved  J  That  the  Presbstery  of  Abingdon  be, 
and  it  hereby  is,  taken  from  under  the  care  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Carolinas ;  and  placed  under  the  care, 
and  formed  into  a  constituent  part  of,  the  Synod  of 
Tirginia.— 1803. 


Sect  4.  The  Synod  of  Alhany  constituted  in 
1803. 

Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  of  Albany, 
Oneida  and  Columbia,  be,  and  they  hereby  are, 
constituted  and  formed  into  a  Synod ;  to  be  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Synod  of  Albany  :  that  they 
hold  their  first  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Albany,  on  the  fwsl  Wednesday  of  October 
next,  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M.  and  be  opened  with  a 
Sermon  by  the  Rev.  Jedediah  Chapman,  or,  in  case 
of  his  absence,  by  the  next  senior  Minister  who 
may  be  present ;  and  that  they  afterwards  meet  on 
their  own  adjournments. 


CHAP.  I.]  THE  CONSTITUTION.  4l 

Sect  5.     The  Synod  of  Albany  divided  in  1812. 

The  following  application  from  the  Synod  of  Al- 
bany, was  overtured  by  the  Committee  of  Over- 
tures, that  said  Synod  be  di\1ded  in  the  manner 
following ;  viz. 

That  the  Presbyteries  of  Londonderry,  Colum- 
bia, Albany  and  Oneida,  form  the  Eastern  Division, 
and  be  constituted  a  Synod;  to  be  called  and  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Synod  of  Albany  ;  and  that 
they  hold  their  first  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  City  of  Albany,  on  the  first  Wed- 
nesday in  October  next,  at  11  o'clock,  A.  M.  and 
that  the  meeting  be  opened  with  a  Sermon,  by  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Blacthford,  D.  D.  and,  in  case  of  his 
absence,  then  by  the  oldest  Minister  present. 

That  the  Presbyteries  of  Onondaga,  Cayuga,  and 
Gene\^,  form  the  Western  Division,  and  be  con- 
stituted a  Synod ;  to  be  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Synod  of  Geneva  ;  and  that  they 
hold  their  first  meeting,  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Geneva,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  Oc- 
tober next,  at  11  o'clock.  A,  M.  and  that  the  meet- 
ing be  opened  with  a  Sermon  by  the  Rev.  David 
Higgins,  and,  in  case  of  his  absence,  then  by  the 
oldest  minister  present. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  Albany  be  divided 
as  above ;  and  it  hereby  is  accordingly  divided. 


Sect  6.     The  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  divided 
in  1813. 

An  application  from  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas, 
for  the  division  of  their  Synod;  was  overtured  and 

D  2 


42  THE    gYNODS.  [PART  II. 

read.  Whereupon  it  was  resolved,  that  the  said 
Synod  be  divided  as  follows  : 

That  the  Presbyteries  of  Orange,  Concord,  and 
Fayetteville  be  constituted  a  Synod ;  to  be  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Synod  of  North  Carolina  ; 
to  meet  at  Allemance  Church,  on  the  first  Thurs- 
day of  October  next : — That  the  Rev.  Dr.  James 
Hall,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  then  the  senior  mem- 
ber present,  open  the  Synod  with  a  Sermon,  and 
preside  until  a  Moderator  be  chosen ;  and  that  the 
Synod  meet  afterwards  on  their  own  adjournments. 

That  the  Presbyteries  of  South  Carolina,  Hope- 
well and  Harmony  be  constituted  a  Synod ;  to  be 
known  by  the  name  of  the  Synod  of  South  Car- 
olina AND  Georgia  ;  to  meet  on  the  first  Thurs- 
day in  November  next,  at  Uppei'  Long  Cane 
Church,  and  afterwards  on  their  own  adjourn- 
ments ;— that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  KoUock,  or^  in 
case  of  his  absence,  then  the  senior  Minister  pre- 
sent, preach  the  opening  Sermon,  and  preside  until 
a  Moderator  be  elected. 

Sect  7.     The  Synod  of  EentucTcy  divided  in 
1814. 

The  Committee  to  which  were  refen^ed  the  petition 
y  of  the  Presbytery  of  Lancaster  for  the  division  of  the 
^  S jTiod  of  Kentucky,  and  a  resolution  of  the  Synod 
on  the  same  subject,  rq)orted  in  favor  of  the  peti- 
tion :  and  it  was  resolved  by  the  Assembly  that  the 
Presbytery  of  Lancaster  be  separated  from  the  Sy- 
nod of  Pittsburgh,  and  the  Presbyteries  of  Wash- 
ing-ton and  Miami  be  separated  from  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky,  and  be  erected  into  a  new  Synod;  to  be 
known  and  called  by  the  name  of  the  Synod  of 


CHAP.  I.]  THE    CONSTITUTION.  43 

Ohio  ;  to  meet  at  Chilicotlie,  on  the  last  Thursday  of 
October  next;  that  the  Rev.  Robert Gr.  Wilson,  or,  in 
case  of  his  absence  the  senior  Minister  present,  open 
the  S^Tiod  with  a  Sermon,  and  preside  until  a  new 
Moderator  be  chosen. 


Sect.  8.  The  Line  between  the  Synods  of  Ohio 
and  Kentucky  altered  in  1815. 

A  petition  of  the  Synod  of  Ohio,  praying  an  alte- 
ration of  the  line  dividing  that  Synod  from  the  Sy- 
nod of  Kentucky,  so  that  the  Ohio  river  shall  be  the 
line  dividing  the  two  aforesaid  Synods,  was  over- 
tured.  The  prayer  of  the  petition  w  as  granted  ;  it 
being  understood,  that  the  connexion  now  subsisting 
between  the  congregation  of  Cabin  Creek  and  the 
Rev.  William  Williamson,  shall  not  be  thereby 
effected,  agreeably  to  the  petition  of  the  Elders  of 
said  congregation,  w  hich  has  been  forwarded  to  the 
Assembly  and  read. 


Sect.  9.  The  Line  between  the  ame  Synods 
again  divided  fw  1817. 

The  committee  to  whom  w  as  referred  the  peti- 
tion of  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville  for  an  altera- 
tion in  the  di\Tsion  line  between  the  Synod  of  Ohio 
and  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  reported;  and  their 
report  being  read,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows ; 
viz. 

Resolvedy  That  the  request  be  granted ;  and  that, 
agreeably  to  the  petition,  so  much  of  the  Synod  of 
Ohio,  within  the  state  of  Indiana,  as  lies  West  of  a 


44  THE    SYNODS,  [PART  II. 

line  drawn  due  north  from  the  mouth,  of  Kentucky 
river  be  attached  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky. 

Sect.  10.  The  Synod  of  Kentucky  divided  in 
1817. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  peti- 
tion of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky^  prayins;  for  a  divi- 
sion of  said  Synodj  reported ;  and  their  report  being 
read,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows;  viz. 

That,  agreeably  to  the  request  of  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky,  the  Presbyteries  of  Union,  Shiloh,  West 
Tennessee,  and  Mississippi,  be  constituted  a  Sy- 
nod ;  to  be  known  and  called  by  the  name  of  the 
Synod  of  Tennessee.  That  they  hold  their  first 
session  at  Nashville,  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  Oc- 
tober next ;  and  that  the  Rev.  James  W.  Stephen- 
son, or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  the  senior  Minister 
who  may  be  present,  open  the  Synod  with  a  Ser- 
mon, and  preside  till  a  new  Moderator  be  chosen. 

Sect  11.     Presbyteries  to  be  divided  by  Synods. 

The  committee  of  overtures  laid  before  the  As- 
sembly an  application  from  the  Presbytery  of  Hun- 
tingdon, for  a  division  of  their  Presbytery. 

Resolved,  That  the  Presbytery  make  their  appli- 
cation to  the  Synod  to  which  they  belong,  being  the 
most  proper  judicature  to  decide  in  the  case. — 1808. 

Sect,  12.  *in  Elder  from  a  Vacant  Congrega- 
tion has  a  right  to  sit  in  Synod, 

The  committee  also  overtured  this  question.  Has 
an  elder,  whom  the  discipline  of  our  church  autho- 


CHAP.  I.]  THE    CONSTITUTION.  45 

rises  to  sit  as  a  member  in  Presbytery,  from  a  va- 
cant congregation  or  united  congregations,  a  right, 
by  that  discipline,  to  sit  in  Synod,  as  a  representa- 
tive of  such  congregation,  or  congregations  ? 

The  vote  being  taken,  the  question  was  determin- 
ed in  the  affirmative. — 1808. 


Sect.  13.  The  Powers  of  a  ComnMSsion  of  Sy- 
nod. 

A  Member  of  the  committee  appointed  to  pre- 

i  774     P^i'^  ^^  overture  respecting  a  commission  of 

Synod,  brought  in  a  diaught,  which  being 

read,  and  amended,  was  put  to  vote  and  carried 

by  a  large  majority,  and  is  as  follows  : 

Whereas,  there  have  arisen  doubts  in  the  minds 
of  some  members  respecting  the  utility  and  powers 
of  what  is  called  by  us  The  Commission,  the  Sy- 
nod proceeded  to  take  this  matter  into  consideration; 
and  after  due  deliberation,  in  order  to  remove  any 
scruples  upon  this  head,  and  prevent  all  future  diffi- 
culties in  this  matter,  do  determine  that  the  commis- 
sion shall  continue,  and  meet  whensoever  called  by 
the  Moderator  at  the  request  of  the  first  nine  in  the 
roll  of  the  commission,  or  a  major  part  of  the  first 
nine  ministers  ;  and  when  met  that  it  shall  be  invest- 
ted  with  all  the  powers  of  Synod,  sit  by  their  own 
adjournments  from  time  to  time  :  and  let  it  also  be 
duly  attended  to  that  there  can  lie  no  appeal  from 
the  judgment  of  the  commission,  as  there  can  be 
none  from  the  judgment  of  the  Synod  ;  but  there 
may  be  a  review  of  their  proceedings  and  judg- 
ments by  the  Synod  ;  and  whensoever  this  is  done 


i6  THE    SYNODS.  [PART  11. 

those  who  were  members  of  the  commission  shall 
be  present  and  assist  in  forming  all  such  judg- 
ments, as  the  Synod  may  think  proper  to  make 
upon  any  such  Review. — ^By  the  Synod  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia,  p.  274. 


CHAPTER  n. 

OF  THE  DUTIES  OF  SYNODS. 


Sect.  1.    Synod  Books, 

fjN  Motion,  Ordered^  That  the  minutes  of  the  re- 
spective Synods  be  laid,  yearly,  before  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  to  be  by  them  revised.  Vol.  I.  p. 
4.__1789. 

It  is  recommended  to  the  Synods  of  Virginia, 
and  the  Carolinas  to  send  attested  copies  of  their 
minutes,  by  their  delegates  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, yearly,  whenever  they  find  it  inconvenient 
to  send  their  books.     Vol.  I.  p.  15.— 1790, 

Sect,  2.    Case  of  Order. 

On  reading  the  minutes  of  Saturday  respecting 
the  report  of  the  committee  for  examining  the  min- 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  47 

utes  of  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  the  Assembly 
resolved,  That  the  Synod  be  informed^  that  the 
Assembly  disapprove  of  the  proceedings  as  repre- 
sented in  their  records^  in  recommending  a  candi- 
date to  be  received  as  in  full  atanding,  before  they 
had  given  a  decision  upon  tJie  allegations  against 
him.     Vol.  I.  p.  36.— 1791. 


Sect.  3.  Unconstitutional  Act  of  the  Synod  of 
tJSTew  York  and  JWw  Jersey, 

A  remonstrance  was  presented  by  the  Synod  of 
New  York  and  New  Jersey  against  a  decision  of 
the  Assembly  of  last  year,  by  which  they  deter- 
mine that  "  it  is  unconstitutional  for  the  Synod  of 
New  York  and  New  Jersey  to  enact,  that  in  future 
candidates  who  have  the  gospel  ministry  in  view, 
shall  be  required  to  attend  to  the  study  of  divinity 
at  least  three  years  before  licensure:"' — Where- 
upon, it  was  resolved.  That  this  Assembly  reconsi- 
der the  above  decision;  which  was  agreed  to.  And, 
whereas,  it  appeared  that  there  was  no  appointment 
made  by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey, 
of  any  particular  persons  to  advocate  their  cause, 
the  Assembly,  desirous  to  receive  all  the  light  they 
can  on  the  subject,  resolved,  That  every  member  of 
that  Synod  who  may  be  present  shall  have  liberty 
to  offer  what  he  may  think  necessary  for  or  against 
the  remonstrance :  At  the  same  time  it  was  resolved^ 
That  this  act  of  the  Assembly  ought  not  to  be  used 
as  a  precedent. — The  members  of  the  Synod  who 
w  ere  present  having  been  fully  heard,  the  Assem- 
bly adjourned. 


48  THE    SYNODS.  [PART  II. 

The  Assembly  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
remonstrance  from  the  Synod  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey ;  When  a  motion  was  made  and  se- 
conded, as  follows;  viz.  Fesolved,  as  the  sense  of 
this  house,  that  the  decision  of  the  last  General  As- 
sembly, which  is  the  subject  of  complaint  ought  not 
to  be  altered.  On  the  question  to  agree  to  the 
above  motion,  it  was  unanimously  determined  in  the 
affirmative.     Vol.  I.  p.  79.— 1793. 


Sect  4.     Ordination  sine  titulo. 

The  following  request  was  overtured  by  the 
Committee  of  Bills  and  Overtures. 

That  the  Synods  ©f  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas 
have  liberty  to  direct  their  Presbyteries  to  ordain 
such  candidates,  as  they  may  judge  necessary  to  ap- 
point on  Missions  to  preach  the  Gospel ;  Where- 
upon, 

Mesolvedy  That  the  above  request  be  granted — 
The  Synods  being  careful  to  restrict  the  permis- 
sion to  the  ordination  of  such  candinates  only  as  are 
engaged  to  be  sent  on  Missions.  1795. — Vol.  I. 
p.  108. 


Sect.  5.  The  duty  of  a  Synod  in  receiving  a 
Presbytery  under  their  care^  not  formerly  in  our 
connexion,  prescribed  by  the  Assembly  in  1800. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  by  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly,  the  consideration  of  an  application 
from  Charleston  Presbytery  in  South  Carolina,  to 
be  taken  into  connexion  with  the  Assembly,  made 
their  report;  which  being  corrected,  was  adopted,  and 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  49 

is  as  follows :  viz, — After  examining  the  papers  and 
propositions  brought  forward  by  the  Charleston 
Presbytery,  the  committee  think  if  expedient,  that 
the  General  Assembly  refer  this  business  to  the 
consideration  of  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas,  with 
whom  this  Presbytery  must  be  connected,  if  they 
become  a  constituent  part  of  our  body ;  That  the 
said  Synod  be  informed  that  the  Presbytery  ought, 
in  the  event  of  a  connexion  with  us,  to  be  allowed 
to  enjoy  and  manage,  without  hindrance  or  controul, 
all  funds  and  monies  that  are  now  in  their  posses- 
sion, and  that  the  congregations  under  the  care  of 
the  Presbytery  be  permitted  freely  to  use  the  system 
of  psalmody  which  they  have  already  adopted;  That, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  Synod  must  be  careful  to  as- 
certain, that  all  the  ministers  and  congregations  be- 
longing to  the  Presbytery  do  fully  adopt,  not  only 
the  doctrine,  but  the  form  of  Government  and  dis- 
cipline of  our  Church.     1800.— Vol.  I.  p.  216. 

Sect.  6.  Moption  of  the  Standards  of  our 
Chuj^ch^  and  Form  of  Government  and  Discipline, 
required  by  the  late  Synod  of^ew  York  and  Phila- 
delphia, from  a  Presbytery, 

A  request  brought  in  from  a  Presbytery  in  New 
York  Government  to  the  east  of  North  River,  de- 
siring to  be  incorporated  with  this  Synod,  and  that 
some  members  of  the  Presb^i^eries  of  New  York, 
and  SujBFolk,  which  are  contiguous,  may  be  allowed 
to  be  joined  with  them  in  a  Presbyterial  capacity. 
After  several  members  of  this  body  had  given  full 
satisfaction,  concerning  their  characters,  their  good 
standing  in  the  church,  and  that  it  was  not  from  any 
dissatisfaction  to  the  neighbouring  churches  that 

E 


56  THE    SYNODS.  [PAHT  H. 

they  desired  to  be  united  Avitli  us  ;  It  was  agreed 
to  grant  their  request,  provided  that  they  agree  to 
adojjt  our  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  and 
Catechisms,  and  engage  to  observe  the  Directory  as 
a  Plan  of  Worship,  JJiscijjline,  and  Government^ 
according  to  the  agreement  of  this  Synod.  It  is 
allowed  that  Mr.  John  Smith,  and  Mr.  Charncy 
Graham  join  with  them,  and  from  Suffolk  Presby- 
tery Messrs.  Samuel  Jacket,  and  Eliphalet  Ball, 
and  that  they  be  called  by  the  name  of  Dutchess 
County  Presbytery,  and  that  Mr.  David  Bostick, 
send  them  a  copy  of  this  minute  to  let  them  know 
our  determination.     1763. — Page  69. 

The  Presbytery  of  Dutchess  County  being  pre- 
sent, reported.  That  they  have  complied  with  the 
stipulations  of  the  Synod  in  the  year  1763,  and 
have  adopted  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith 
and  Catechisms,  together  with  the  Directory  for 
Worship  and  Discipline,  according  to  the  usage  of 
this  Synod,  as  appears  from  their  minutes,  which 
were  produced  and  read.  Certain  members  of  said 
Presbytery  being  present,  were  allowed  to  take 
their  seats.     1766.— Page  100. 

Sect.  7.  Resolved,  That  it  be  again  solemnly 
enjoined  on  all  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  within 
the  bounds  of  the  General  Assembly,  on  no  account, 
to  interfere  with  the  instructions  given  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  missions  to  Missionaries.  Yol.  II.  p.  295. 
—1809. 

Sect.  8.     Tract  Societies  recommended  in  1809. 

The  committee  appointed  to  report  on  the  esta- 
blishment of  a  society  for  procuring  and  distributing 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  51 

religious  tracts^  reported  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  adopted. 

Resolved,  That,  whereas  it  appears  to  this  As- 
sembly, that  great  and  increasing  good  hath  ac- 
crued to  the  Church  of  Christ,  by  the  distribution 
of  small,  cheap,  religious  tracts  ;  it  is  hereby  ear- 
nestly recommended,  that  each  Synod  take  mea- 
sures for  establishing  as  many  religious  tract  socie- 
ties within  their  bounds,  by  the  associating  of  one 
or  more  Presbyteries,  as  may  be  most  convenient 
for  this  purpose;  and  tliat  such  societies  may  adopt 
such  plan,  for  carrying  into  effect  the  object  of  this 
resolution,  as  may  be  most  conducive,  in  their  judg- 
ment, to  this  end. 

For  the  rules  relative  to  the  reports  to  be  made 
to  the  General  Assembly,  see  Part  III.  Chap.  IIL 
Beet.  3. 


PART   IJI 


OF  THE 


:FiBii©i3irsisi3aii©a 


CHAPTER  1. 


OF  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  PRESBYTE- 
RIES. 


Sect.  1.  Extracts  from  the  Mecords  of  the  Sy- 
nod of  JK*ew  York  and  Fhiladeljihia,  for  the  year 
1786. 

X  HE  committee  appointed  to  prepare  and  report 
a  draught  of  a  plan  for  the  division  of  the  Synod 
into  three  or  more  Synods,  brought  in  their  report, 
which  is  as  follows :  viz. 

Your  committee  beg  leave  to  report  that  tliey 
conceive  it  proper,  previously  to  the  division  of  the 
Synod,  to  divide  some  of  the  Presbyteries,  which 
are  now  too  extensive  in  their  limits :  and  to  new 


CHAP.  I.]  THE  CONSTITUTION.  53 

model  some  others^  so  as  to  render  them  more  con- 
venient than  they  are  at  present :  And  therefore  re- 
commend to  the  Synod^  to  institute  the  folloAving 
arrangement:  viz. 

1st.  That  Abingdon  Presbytery  be  divided  into 
two  Presbyteries.  The  one  to  be  bounded  by 
New  River  on  the  north  and  east ;  by  the  Apala- 
chian  mountains  on  the  south  :  and  by  Cumberland 
Mountain  on  the  west:  consisting  of  the  Rev. 
Charles  Cummins^  Hezekiah  Balch,  John  Cas- 
son^  Samuel  Doak,  and  Samuel  Houston ;  to  be 
known  by  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Abing- 
don^ and  to  hold  their  first  meeting  agreeably  to 
adjournment  of  the  late  Presb\'tery  of  Abingdon. 
The  other  to  comprehend  the  district  of  Kentucky^ 
and  the  settlements  on  Cumberland  River ;  con- 
sisting of  the  Rev.  David  Rice,  Thomas  Craig- 
head^ Adam  Rankin^  Andrew  M'Clure,  and  James 
Crawford  ;  and  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Transylvania,  and  to  meet  for 
the  first  time  at  Danville,  in  the  district  of  Ken- 
tucky, on  the  third  Tuesday  of  next  October ;  the 
Rev.  David  Rice  to  preside ;  and,  in  case  of  his 
absence,  the  senior  minister  present. 

2d.  That  the  Presbytery  of  Hanover  be  divided 
into  two  Presbyteries.  The  oije  to  be  bounded  by 
the  Apalachian  Mountains  on  the  north-west,  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Orange  on  the  south,  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Donnegal  on  the  north  and  east, 
and  by  the  Chesapeake  and  Atlantic  on  the  south- 
east; consisting  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Sanky,  John 
Todd,  James  Waddel,  Wm.  Irvine,  John  Blair 
Smith,  James  Mitchell,  John  D.  Blair,  and  Daniel 
M^Culla;  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Hanover 
Presbytery;  and  to  hold  their  first  meeting  at 

E  2 


54  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  III. 

Hampdon  Sidney,  in  Prince  Edward's  County,  on 
the  third  Thursday  of  September  next ;'  the  Kev. 
Richard  Sanky  to  preside,  or,  in  his  absence,  the 
senior  Minister  present.  The  other  to  be  bounded 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Red-stone  and  Carlisle  on  the 
noi'th,  by  the  south-eastern  ridge  of  the  Apalachian 
mountains  on  the  east  and  south;  and  by  New-river 
on  the  west;  consisting  of  the  Rev.  John  Brown, 
Wm.  Grraham,  Archibald  Scott,  James  M^Connel, 
Edward  Crawford,  Benjamin  Erwin,  John  Mont- 
gomery, Wm.  Wilson,  Moses  Hoge,  John  M*Cue, 
Samuel Carrick,  and  Samuel  Shannon ;  to  be  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Lexington; 
and  to  meet  for  tlie  first  time  at  Timber  Ridge  in 
Rockbridge  county,  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  Sep- 
tember next,  the  Rev.  John  Brown  to  preside,  or 
ill  his  absence,  the  senior  Minister  present. 

3.  That  the  Presbytery  of  Donnegal  be  divided 
into  two  Presbyteries;  one  of  which  to  consist  of 
the  Rev.  John  Plemons,  James  Hunt,  Stephen 
Batch,  and  Isaac  Keith,  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Patrick 
Allison  from  ilm  late  second  Presbytery  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  the  Rev.  Greorge  Luckey  from  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Castle:  to  be  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore;  and  to 
meet  for  the  first  time  in  Baltimore  Town,  on  the 
last  Tuesday  of  October  next ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Alli- 
son to  preside,  or,  in  his  absence,  the  senior  Minis- 
ter present.  The  other  to  consist  of  the  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Thompson,  John  Hoge,  Hugh  Magill,  Robert 
Cowpei;,  James  Martin,  James  Lang,  John  Craig- 
head, John  King,  Hugh  Vance,  Thomas  M-Far- 
ren,  John  M^Knight,  Dr.  Robert  Davidson,  John 
Black,  Samuel  Dougall,  John  Lynn,  David  Beard, 
Samuel  Waugh,  Joseph  Henderson,  Matthew Ste- 


CHAP.  I.]  THE    CONSTITUTION.  55 

veil,  and  James  Jolmstoiij  with  the  Rev.  John  El- 
dei>  and  Robert  M^Murdic,  from  the  late  second 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia;  to  be  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle  ;  and  to 
hold  their  first  meeting  agreeably  to  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  late  Presbytery  of  Donnegal. 

4th.  That  the  Rev!^  Colin  M^Farquher,  late  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Donnegal,  be  annexed  to  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Castle. 

5th.  That  the  distinction  of  the  first  Pi-esbytery 

ami     sccuiid    Picsbjicr^      of     riiiladclpliia^      shall 

henceforth  cease ;  and  that  the  members  of  these 
two  Presbyteries,  except  those  that  are  annexed  to 
the  Presbyteries  of  Baltimore  and  Carlisle;  be 
united  into  one  Presbytery ;  to  be  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  ;  to 
hold  their  meeting  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  Octo- 
ber next,  intlieCity  of  Philadelphia;  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Sproat  to  preside,  or  in  his  absence  the  senior 
Minister  present.     Page  405 — 407. 

The  Synod  proceeded  to  consider  the  report  of 
the  committee  on  a  plan  for  dividing  this  Synod 
into  three  or  more  Synods  ;  and  adopted  it  as  far 
as  respects  the  arranging  of  the  Presbyteries.  And 
the  Synods  hereby  establish  the  arrangement  there- 
in contained.     Page  412. 


Sect.  2.  The  Presbytery  of  Carlisle  divided  in 
1794,  hy  the  General  Assembly. 

An  overture  was  laid  before  the  Assembly, 
through  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  requesting  a 
division  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle ;  whereupon, 
resolved,  that  the  Presbytery  be  divided  into  two 
Presbyteries,   by  a  line  along  the  Juniata  river, 


56  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  III. 

from  its  moutli  up  to  the  Tuscarora  mountain^  to 
the  head  of  the  Patli  Valley,  thence  westwardly, 
to  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  Presbytery  of  Red- 
stone,  so  as  to  leave  the  congregation  of  Bedford  to 
the  south  ;  that  the  Ministers  settled  south  of  said 
line.  viz.  Mr.  Snodgrass,  Mr.  Waugh,  Mr.  Linn, 
Dr.  Nesbit,  Dr.  Davidson,  Mr.  Wilson,  Dr.  Cooper, 
Mr.  Craighead,  Dr.  King,  Mr.  Lang,  Mr.  M^Pher- 
rin,  Mr.  Paxton,  Mr.  Black,  Mr.  Henderson,  Mr. 
iM^Mordy,  and  Mr.  Jones ;  together  with  all  those 

>vlvo  ha^'G    bt>en  ordained,    oi*  aliall  be  ordained,  Ur 

admitted  within  the  limits  now  prescribed  for  the 
Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  since  the  last  annual  report 
from  that  Presbytery  until  the  time  when  the  said 
Presbytery  shall  be  dissolved:  shall  be  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle  ;  to 
hold  their  first  meeting  at  Carlisle,  on  the  secoud 
Tuesday  of  April.  Dr.  Cooper  Avas  appointed  to 
preach  a  sermon  on  that  occasion,  and  to  preside 
until  a  new  Moderator  shall  be  chosen;  and,  in  case 
of  his  absence,  the  next  senior  Minister  present,  to 
supply  his  place.  And  also,  that  the  Ministers 
settled  north  of  the  aforesaid  line,  viz.  Mr.  Bard, 
Mr.  John  Johnson,  Mr.  Stephen,  Mr.  James  John- 
son, Mr.  M^Gill,  Mr.  Martin,  Mr.  Bryson,  Mr. 
Morrison,  and  Mr.  Hoge,  together  vvith  all  those 
who  have  been  ordained,  or  shall  be  ordained,  or 
received  by  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  within  the 
limits  prescribed  for  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon, 
until  the  time  when  the  present  Presbytery  of  Car- 
lisle shall  be  dissolved  ;  shall  be  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon  ;  to  meet 
for  the  first  time  in  Mr.  Martin's  Church,  in  Penn's 
Valley,  on  the  secondTuesday  of  April.  Mr.  Hoge 
was  appointed  to  preach  a  sermon  outhat  occasion. 


CHAP.  I.]  THE    CONSTITUTION.  57 

and  to  preside  until  a  ncAv  Moderator  shall  be 
chosen ;  and^  in  case  of  his  absence,  the  senior  Min- 
ister present,  to  supply  his  place. 


Sect,  3.  TJie  Preshjterij  of  Albany  divided  in 
1802. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  peti- 
tion of  the  Presbytery  of  Albany,  reported — The 
report  being  considered,  was  adopted,  which  is  as 
follows : 

Your  committee  are  of  opinion,  that  the  division 
of  the  Presbytery  ought  to  take  place; — but  that 
said  Presbyteries  ought  not  to  be  constituted  a  Sy- 
nod, until  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey 
be  consulted  on  the  subject ;  and  therefore  submit 
the  following  resolutions  : 

1.  That  so  much  of  the  Presbytery  of  Albany  as 
lies  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  River,  including 
the  liev.  Messrs.  Harford,  Bogue,  Halsey,  and 
Coe,  be  constituted  a  Presbytery,  by  the  name  of 
THE  Presbytery  of  Columbia  :  That  they  hold 
their  first  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
Tryon,  the  second  Tuesday  in  September  next ; 
and  be  opened  with  a  sermon  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  War- 
ford,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  by  the  next  senior 
minister  present ;  and  that  they  afterwards  meet 
on  their  own  adjournments. 

2.  That  so  much  of  the  Presb^i;ery  of  Albany  as 
lies  on  the  west  side  of  the  eastern  line  of  the  coun- 
ties of  Otsego  and  Herkemer,  including  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Fish,  Linsley,  Dodd,  Lewis,  and  Mr. 
Chapman,  late  of  the  Presbytery  of  NeAV  York,  and 
Mr,  Snowden,  late  of  the  Presb^iery  of  Nevr- 


58  VttE   PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  III. 

Brims  wickj  be  constituted  a  Presbytery,  by  the 
name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Oneida  :  That  they 
hold  their  first  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian  church 
at  Whitesborough,  on  the  fir  i  Tuesday  in  Sep- 
tember next ;  and  be  opened  with  a  sermon  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Chapman;  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  by 
the  next  senior  Minister  present ;  afterwards  to 
meet  on  their  own  adjournments. 

3.  That  the  remaining  part  of  said  Presbytery, 
]ying  between  the  Hudson's  river,  and  the  eastern 
line  of  the  counties  of  Otsego,  and  Herkemer,  in- 
cluding the  Rev.  Messrs.  Miller,  Hosack,  Clark- 
son,  Nott,  Bradley,  and  Sweetman,  be  constituted 
a  Presbytery,  by  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Albany  :  That  they  hold  their  first  meeting  in  the 
Presbyterian  church  at  Albany,  on  the  third  Tues- 
day in  September  next ;  and  be  opened  with  a  ser- 
mon by  the  Rev.  Alexander  Miller;  or,  in  case  of 
his  absence,  by  the  next  senior  Minister  present ; 
afterwards  to  meet  on  their  own  adjournment. 

Sect.  4.  The  Presbytery  of  Oneida  divided  in 
1805. 

JResolvedj  That  so  much  of  the  existing  Presby- 
tery of  Oneida,  as  lies  on  the  west  side  of  the  wes- 
tern line  of  the  counties  of  Chenango  and  Oneida, 
including  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Jedediah  Chapman, 
John  Lindsley,  Samuel  Leacock  and  Jabez  Chad- 
wick,  be  constituted  a  Presbytery  by  the  name  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Geneva:  that  they  hold  their 
first  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Geneva, 
the  third  Tuesday  of  September  next;  and  be  open- 
ed with  a  sermon  by  Mr.  Chapman,  or,  in  case  of 
his  absence,  by  the  next  senior  Minister  present ; 


CHAP.  I.]  THE    CONSTITUTION.  59 

and  that  they  afterwards  meet  on  their  own  ad- 
journments. 

Resolved^  That  so  much  of  tlie  existing  Presby- 
tery of  Oneida,  as  lies  betAveen  the  eastern  line  of 
the  counties  of  Otsego  and  Herkimer,  and  the  wes- 
tern line  of  the  counties  ef  Chenango  and  Oneida, 
containing  the  Rev.  3Iessrs.  Peter  Fish,  Samuel 
F.  Snowden,  Isaac  Lewis,  Joshua  Knight  and 
James  Carnahan,  be  constituted  a  Presbytery  by 
the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Oxeida:  that 
they  hold  their  first  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Utica,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  September 
next ;  and  be  opened  with  a  sermon  by  the  Rev. 
Peter  Fish,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  by  the  next 
senior  Minister  present ;  and  that  they  afterwards 
meet  on  their  own  adjournments. 

Sect.  5.  The  Presbytery  of  Union  attached  to 
the  Synod  of  Kentucky^  in  1810. 

The  following  letter  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Union,  addressed  to  the  stated  Clerk,  to  be  commu- 
nicated to  the  Assembly,  was  read. 

^^  State  of  Tennessee,  i9th  April  1810, 

Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethren, 

This  Presbytery,  having  understood,  from  doc- 
uments received,  that  they  are  not  yet  attached  to 
any  Synod,  the  last  Assembly  having  been  at  a 
loss  to  knoAV  whether  they  wished  to  be  attached 
to  the  Synod  of  Virginia  or  of  Kentucky,  they  now 
most  respectfully  request  the  assembly  to  attach 
them  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky.     This  request, 


60  THE  PRESBYTERIES.  PART  III. 

Rev.  Sirs,  I  lay  before  you  by  order  of  the  Pres- 
bji;ery. 

ROBERT  HENDERSON,  Stated  clerk:' 

Resolvedy  That  the  request  of  the  aforesaid 
Presbytery  be  granted,  and  it  is  hereby  granted  ; 
and  the  Presbytery  of  Union  is  by  the  Assembly 
attached  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky. 

Sect.  6.  Presbyteries  not  to  interfere  with  each 
other,     1798. 

It  shall  be  deemed  irregular  for  any  Presbytery 
to  appoint  supplies  within  the  bounds  of  another, 
without  their  concurrence ;  or  for  any  minister  to 
officiate  in  another's  congregation,  without  asking 
and  obtaining  his  consent,  or  the  session's,  in  case 
the  minister  be  absent ;  yet  it  shall  be  esteemed 
unbrotherly  for  any  one,  in  ordinary  circumstances, 
to  refuse  his  consent  to  a  regular  member,  when  re- 
quired. 

Sect,  7.  Ministers  without  charges,  members 
of  Church  Judicatures,     1816. 

The  Committee  to  which  was  referred  the  Over- 
ture from  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  in  the  fol- 
lowing words  :  viz.  ^^Are  ministers  without  char- 
ges, constituent  members  of  our  church  judicatures, 
and  have  they  an  equal  voice  with  settled  pastors, 
and  ruling  elders  of  congregations  in  ecclesiastical 
government?''  reported;  and  their  report,  being 
read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows: viz. 

In  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  this  question  is 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  61 

answered  affirmatively,  Chap.  IX.  Sect.  2,  of  the 
form  of  government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
these  words :  ^^  A  Presbytery  consists  of  all  the  min- 
isters, and  one  ruling  elder  from  each  congregation, 
within  a  certain  district.''     1816. 


CHAPTER  n. 

OF  THE  DUTIES  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIES 


Sect.  1.     A  Rule  regulating  the  intercourse  of 
Presbyteries  with  each  other. 

A.  CASE  was  referred  to  the  General  Assembly 
for  counsel,  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle, 
which  is  as  follows  :  viz.  '^  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Castle,  in  Wilmington,  upon 
the  first  Tuesday  of  January,  1791,  and  continued 
by  adjournments; — The  Rev.  James  JVPCoy,  of 
Morris  County  Presbytery,  with  a  commission  from 
Queen  Ann's  congregation,  applied  to  be  received 
as  a  member  of  the  Presbytery.  As  Mr.  M^Coy 
had  been  under  trials  for  licensure,  in  the  Presby- 
tery of  New  York,  and  was  licensed  and  ordained 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Morris,  this  Presbytery 
agreed  not  to  receive  him  as  a  member,  until  his 

F 


62  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  III. 

case  be  laid  before  the  General  Assembly,  at  their 
next  stated  meeting.'^  The  General  Assembly, 
npon  considering  this  case,  determined, — That  nei- 
ther the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle,  nor  any  other 
Presbytery,  ought  to  receive  Mr.  M^Coy  into  their 
connexion,  until  he  shall  have  produced  a  certifi- 
cate from  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  of  his  hav- 
ing given  them  the  satisfaction  which  his  case  re- 
quires.    1791.— Vol.  I.  p.  37. 

Sect.  2.     How  to  dismiss  a  Minister, 

Resolved,  That,  whereas  it  is  a  fundamental 
principle  of  the  government  and  discipline  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  that  every  Minister  of  the 
Gospel  belonging  to  it,  be  subject,  at  all  times  to  his 
brethren  in  the  Lord  ;  and  accountable  to  them  for 
the  orthodoxy  of  his  principles,  and  for  his  moral, 
religious,  and  orderly  deportment:  \i  is  therefore 
ordered.  That  every  Presbytery,  under  the  care 
of  this  Assembly,  whenever  they  dismiss  a  mem- 
ber, be  careful  particularly  to  specify,  with  what 
Presbytery,  Association,  Classis,  or  other  Religious 
body,  he  is  to  be  associated  after  his  dismission;  (to 
which  some  of  the  Presbyteries  do  not  appear  to 
have  been  sufficiently  attentive ;)  and  that  every 
member  so  dismissed,  be,  in  all  cases,  considered  as 
amenable  to  the  Presbytery  which  has  dismissed 
him,  till  he  shall  become  connected  with  the  eccle- 
siastcal  body  which  he  shall  have  been  directed  to 
join.— 1806. 

Sect.  3.     The  time  for  studying  Divinity. 
The  Assembly  called  for  the  reports  of  the  Pres- 


CHAP.  II.]  THE  DUTIES.  63 

b;^i;eries,  relative  to  a  point  on  which  their  opinion 
was  required^  by  the  last  Assembly  :  viz.  ''  Whe- 
ther it  would  be  proper  to  extend  the  time  neces- 
sary for  young  men  to  apply  to  the  study  of  divini- 
ty,  before  they  be  taken  on  trials,  to  three  years  at 
least :"  When  it  appeared  that  a  considerable  ma- 
jority of  the  Presbyteries  had  given  it  as  their  opin- 
ion, that  the  time  of  study  ought  not  to  be  ex- 
tended.—1794. 


Sect.  4.  «i  Hule  relative  to  students  confirmed 
in  1792. 

But,  inasmuch  as  acts  which  have  been  perform- 
ed in  an  informal  manner,  must  often  when  done  be 
sustained,  the  Assembly  do  hereby  sustain  the  li- 
censure and  ordination  of  Mr.  Hindman  ;  while,  at 
the  same  time,  they  enjoin  it,  in  the  most  pointed 
manner,  on  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  to  give  par- 
ticular attention  that  no  Presbytery  under  their  care 
depart,  in  any  respect,  from  that  rule  of  the  former 
Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  which  is 
as  follows :  viz. 

"  The  Synod  judges  that  any  student  in  divinity, 
17Q2  ^^^^  professes  a  design  to  enter  into  the  mi- 
nistry, has  a  right,  in  our  present  situation, 
to  study  for  his  improvement,  under  the  direction 
of  any  divine  of  reputation  in  the  Synod,  according 
to  a  former  act ;  but,  that  when  he  proposes  to  en- 
ter upon  trials,  with  a  view  to  the  ministry,  he 
shall  come  under  the  care  of  that  Presbytery  to 
which  he  most  naturally  belongs  :  and  he  shall  be 
deemed  most  naturally  to  belong  to  that  Presbyte- 
ry, in  whose  bounds  he  has  been  brought  up  and 
lived  for  the  most  part,  and  where  he  is  best  known. 


64  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  lit. 

But^  if  another  Presbytery  desire  that  any  student 
or  students  should  come  into  their  bounds ;  or  if 
any  such  student  or  students  for  greater  conveniency, 
or  from  any  circumstances  that  make  it  necessary, 
desire  to  enter  upon  trials,  in  a  diff'erent  Presbyte- 
ry, upon  his  offering  satisfactory  reasons,  he  may 
be  dismissed :  But  in  either  case,  the  Presbytery 
to  which  he  removes,  shall  not  receive  nor  admit 
him  to  come  under  trials,  upon  his  having  a  certifi- 
cate as  a  regular  church  member  only ;  but  he  shall 
bring  a  testimonial  from  the  Presbytery,  or  several 
neighbouring  ministers  where  he  lived,  recommend- 
ing him  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  of  exem- 
plary piety  and  holiness  of  conversation ;  nor  shall 
any  thing  less  be  esteemed  a  sufficient  recommen- 
dation.'^ 

It  was  ordered  that  the  foregoing  rule,  establish- 
ed by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia, 
in  1764,  be  published  for  the  information  of  the 
Presbyteries. 

Upon  motion.  Ordered^  That  the  above  minute 
be  entered  on  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  that  a  copy  of  this  judgment  be  trans- 
mitted to  every  Presbytery  under  ther  care. — Vol. 
I.  p.  60. 

Sect.  5.  Another  Rule  adopted  by  the  Synod^  in 
the  same  year,  in  relation  to  students. 

As  to  the  5th  Query,*  Though  the  Synod  enter- 
tains a  high  regard  for  the  Associated  Churches  of 
New  England,  yet  we  cannot  but  judge,  that  stu- 


•  The  preceding  judgment  was  given,  in  answer  to  the  3d  of  several 
queries  proposed  to  the  Synod,  and  the  above  in  answer  to  the  5th. 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  65 

denti*  who  go  to  tlieiUj  or  to  any  other  than  our 
own  Presbyteries^  to  obtam  licence  in  order  to  re- 
turn and  officiate  among  us,  act  very  irregularly,  and 
are  not  to  be  approved  or  employed  by  our  Presby- 
teries ;  As  hereby  we  are  deprived  of  the  right  of 
trying  and  approving  the  qualifications  of  our  own 
candidates  :  yet  if  any  cases  shall  happen,  where- 
in such  a  conduct  may  in  some  circumstances  be 
thought  necessary  for  the  greater  good  of  any  con- 
gregation, it  shall  be  laid  before  the  Presbytery  to 
which  the  con£:regation  belongs,  and  approved  of 
by  them.— 1764.  p.  80. 

Sect.  6.  The  adoption  of  the  Confession  of 
Faith  to  be  required  of  Ministers^  ivho  icish  to  en- 
ter into  our  connexion. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan Leavit  from  New  Hamp- 
shire, in  New  England,  produced  to  the  Synod  cer- 
tificates of  his  regular  standing  in  the  Grospel  Min- 
istry ;  and  having  professed  his  desire  to  join  with 
this  body,  after  adopting  the  Westminster  Confes- 
sion of  Faith,  as  the  confession  of  his  faith,  and 
having  promised  to  conform  himself  to  the  West- 
minster Directory  for  Worship  and  Government, 
he  was  received  as  a  member  of  the  Synod,  and 
was  advised  to  put  himself  under  care  of  some  one 
of  our  Presbyteries. — 1765.  p.  98. 

Sect,  7.     Ordination  sine  titulo. 

The  Presbytery  of  Hartford  stated  to  the  Assem- 
i81 0  ^^^'  *^^^*  "^  their  opinion  it  would  be  advan- 
tageous to  the  cause  of  religion  to  ordain 
Mr.  Robert  Sample,    sine  titulo,  and  requested 

F  2  ' 


66  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [pART  III. 

leave  thus  to  ordain  him ;  whereupon,  Resolved^ 
That  said  Prssbytery  be  permitted  to  ordain  Mr. 
Sample  if  they  judge  it  expedient. 

The  committee  appointed  to  consider  and  present 
Ordination  ^^  ^^^^  Assembly  the  draught  of  an  order 
sinetituio.  which  it  may  appear  to  them,  that  the  As- 
1811.  sembly  should  adopt  on  the  subject  of  or- 
dinations sine  titulo,  reported  ;  and  their 
repoii,  being  read,  was  considered  at  some  length, 
and  the  farther  consideration  of  it  was  postponed, 
to  take  up  the  following  substitute,  which,  being 
discussed,  was  adopted. 

Whereas,  there  may  exist  cases,  in  which  it  may 
be  needful  for  Presbyteries  to  ordain,  without  a  re- 
gular call ;  but  as  the  frequent  exercise  of  this  power 
may  be  dangerous  to  the  church ;  and  as  this  case 
does  not  appear  to  be  fully  provided  for  in  our  con- 
stitution and  book  of  discipline;  Therefore,  ^e- 
solved,  That  the  following  rule  be  submitted  to 
the  Presbyteries,  for  their  opinion  and  appropation ; 
which,  when  sanctioned  by  a  majority  of  the  Pres- 
byteries belonging  to  this  church,  shall  become  a 
constitutional  rule :  viz. 

That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  Presbyteries,  when 
they  think  it  necessary  to  ordain  a  candidate,  with- 
out a  particular  call  to  a  congregation  or  congrega- 
tions, to  take  the  advice  of  their  respective  Synods, 
or  of  the  General  Assembly,  before  they  proceed  to 
this  ordination. 

The  committee  appointed  to  report  a  statement 

.r>^9     of  the  dscisions  of  the  several  Presbyteries, 

on  the  standing  rule  proposed  by  the  last  As- 

on  the  subject  of  ordination  sine  titulo^  repoi-ted ; 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  67 

and  the  report,  being  read,  was  accepted,  and  is  as 
follows :  viz.  That  decisions  have  been  received 
from  the  Presbyteries  of  Albany,  New  York,  Phi- 
ladelphia, South  Carolina,  Transylvania,  Union, 
Miami,  Londonderry,  Geneva,  Hudson,  Jersey, 
New  Brunswick,  Baltimore,  New  Castle,  Harmo- 
ny, West  Lexington,  Washington,  and  Hanover ; 
and  that  of  these  the  first  seven  are  in  favour  of  the 
rule  proposed,  and  the  remaining  eleven  are  against 
it. 

Amotion  was  made  and  seconded,  that  this  sub- 
ject be  now  dismissed,  /.  e.  that  the  proposed  rule 
be  not  sent  down  again  to  tlie  Presbyteries  ;  and  af- 
ter considerable  discussion,  was  determined  in  the 
affirmative. 

Resolved^  That,  as  a  considerable  and  evident 
AOio  diversity  of  opinion,  has  for  a  length  of  time 
existed  among  the  judicatures  and  ministers 
of  our  communion,  on  the  question,  whether  Pres- 
byteries can  regularly  proceed  to  ordination  sine 
titulo^  without  consulting  a  higher  judicature ;  and 
it  is  expedient,  for  the  peace  and  order  of  the 
church,  that  this  question  should  be  decided ;  this 
Assembly,  therefore,  repeal  the  act  of  the  last  As- 
sembly, by ,  which  a  further  attention  to  this  sub- 
ject was  dismissed ;  and  the  Assembly  do  further 
direct,  that  all  the  Presbyteries  under  the  care  of 
the  Assembly,  as  well  those  which  have  heretofore 
voted  on  this  subject,  as  those  which  have  not,  do 
send  up  in  writing  the  expressions  of  their  opinion 
on  the  subject  to  the  next  General  Assembly ;  in 
order  that  there  may  be  a  constitutional  and  final 
decision  on  the  point  in  controversy,  and  that  the 
practice  relative  thereto  may  be  uniform  in  all  pat^s 


68  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  III. 

of  our  church.  The  rule  proposed,  and  on  which 
an  affirmative  or  neii;ative  vote  of  the  Presbyteries 
is  required,  is  in  the  following  words  :  viz. 

"It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Presbyteries,  when 
they  think  it  necessary  to  ordain  a  candidate  with- 
out a  call  to  a  particular  pastoral  charge,  to  take 
the  advice  of  a  Synod,  or  of  the  General  Assembly, 
before  they  proceed  to  such  ordination.'' 

The  committee  appointed  to  report  a  statement 
1814  ^^  ^^^^  decisions  of  the  several  Presbyte- 
ries, relative  to  a  rule  proposed  by  the  last 
Assembly,  on  the  subject  of  ordination  sine  titulo, 
which  decisions  had  been  read  in  the  Assembly  ; 
reported,  and  the  report,  being  read,  was  accepted, 
and  is  as  follows  :  viz. 

That  from  tw  enty-tw  o  Presbyteries,  viz.  Cayu- 
ga, Columbia,  Londonderry,  Albany,  Hudson, 
Onondaga,  Jersey,  Carlisle,  Baltimore,  Northum- 
berland, Huntingdon,  Lancaster,  Redstone,  Win- 
chester, Harmony,  Lexington,  Orange,  Washing- 
ton, Transylvania,  Miami,  Oneida,  and  Geneva, 
written  reports  in  the  negative  were  received — that 
from  four  Presbyteries,  viz.  Concord,  Ohio,  South 
Carolina,  and  Muhlenberg,  written  reports  were 
received  in  the  affirmative — that  from  four  Presby- 
teries, viz.  New  York,  New  Castle,  New  Bruns- 
wick and  West  Lexington,  verbal  reports  in  the  ne- 
gative were  received — and  that  from  the  other 
Presbyteries  no  reports  were  received — therefore 
the  j)roposed  rule  was  negatived. 


Sect.  8.     Rule  relative   to  the  higher  excom- 
munication. 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  69 

The  Synod  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  hav- 
ing requested  of  the  General  Assembly  an  explica- 
tion of  a  clause  in  our  book  of  discipline^  in  the 
chapter  of  censures^  Sect.  15.  The  Assembly  de- 
termined, that  the  articl  3  is  in  itself  plain  and  ex- 
plicit ;  and  that,  when  it  shall  be  thought  proper, 
by  any  church,  to  proceed  to  the  sentence  of  the 
higher  excommunication,  and  apply  to  Presbytery 
for  their  concurrence,  agreeably  to  our  constitution, 
the  Presbytery  certainly  will  not  give  any  decision 
in  the  case,  until  the  object  of  censure  be  regularly 
cited  to  appear,  that  he  may  have  an  opportunity  of 
availing  himself  of  the  right  of  appeal,— -1790. 
Vol.  I.  p.  18. 

Sect.  9.  JSTo  Minister  can  be  divested  of  his  of- 
fice but  by  deposition. 

Resolved^  That  it  is  a  principle  of  this  Church, 
that  no  minister  of  the  gospel  can  be  regularly  di- 
vested of  his  office,  except  by  a  course  of  discipline 
terminating  in  his  deposition;  that  if  any  minister, 
by  pro\Tdential  circumstances,  become  incapable  of 
exercising  his  ministerial  functions,  or  is  called  to 
suspend  them,  or  to  exercise  them  only  occasional- 
ly, he  is  still  to  be  considered  as  fully  possessing 
the  ministerial  character  and  privileges  ;  and  his 
brethren  of  the  Presbytery  are  to  inspect  his  con- 
duct ;  and  while  they  treat  him  with  due  tenderness 
and  sympathy,  they  are  to  be  careful  that  he  do  not 
neglect  ministerial  duty,  beyond  what  his  circum- 
stances render  unavoidable  : — That  if  any  minister 
of  the  gospel,  through  a  worldly  spirit,  a  disrelish 
for  the  duties  of  his  office,  or  any  other  criminal  mo- 
tive, become  negligent  or  careless,  he  is  by  no  means 


70  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  III. 

to  be  suffered  to  pursue  this  course,  so  as  at  length 
to  be  permitted  to  lay  aside  the  ministry  without 
censure ;  because  this  would  be  to  encourage  a  dis- 
regard of  the  most  solemn  obligations,  by  opening 
a  way  to  escape  from  them  with  impunity. — But  in 
all  such  cases,  Presbyteries  are  seasonably  to  use 
the  means,  and  pursue  the  methods  pointed  out  in 
the  word  of  God  and  the  rules  of  this  Church,  to 
recal  their  offending  brother  to  a  sense  of  duty;  and 
if  all  their  endeavours  be  ineffectual,  they  are  at 
length  regularly  to  exclude  or  depose  him  from  his 
office. 

If  any  cases  or  questions  relative  to  this  subject 
shall  arise  in  Presbyteries,  which  are  not  contem- 
plated by  the  provisions  of  this  rule,  such  cases  or 
questions  should  be  referred  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly for  a  special  decision. — 1802. 

Sect.  10.  The  pnnciple  stated  in  the  preceed- 
ing  section^  acted  on  by  the  late  Synod  of  ^ew  Yo7'Jc 
and  Philadelphia^  in  1783. 

The  Presbytery  of  New  York  reports,  that  the 
Rev.  Mr.  William  Woodhull,  one  of  their  mem- 
bers, appeared  before  them  at  their  last  meeting, 
and  stated  to  them  his  situation,  as  being  still  inca- 
pable of  exercising  his  ministry,  by  his  continued 
indisposition,  and  the  little,  or  rather  no,  probabili- 
ty of  his  ever  being  able  to  attempt  the  exercise  of 
it  in  future  ;  and  that  he  was  at  the  same  time  en- 
gaged in  certain  secular  employments,  that  would 
seem  to  render  it  improper  to  have  his  name  in  their 
records  as  a  member,  while  he  is  incapable  of  at- 
tending their  meetings,  or  discharging  any  of  the 
gi-eat  duties  of  his  Ministry :  and  therefore  subriiit- 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  71 

ted  to  them  the  propriety  of  their  continuing  and 
considering  him  as  a  member  from  time  to  time  : 
and  that  the  Presbytery^  on  considering  his  situa- 
tion,  thought  it  best  to  leave  his  name  out  of  their 
records  in  future^  till  he  shall  be  able  to  return  to 
the  exercise  of  his  ministry,  an  event  that  would 
give  them  great  pleasure. 

The  Synod  considered  the  above  report,  and 
are  of  opinion  that  Mr.  WoodhuU  ought  to  be  con- 
tinued a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York ; 
aud  therfore  direct  the  Presbytery  to  insert  his 
name  in  their  roll. — p.  352. 

Sect.  11.  ti  deposed  Minister  should  be  pub- 
lished. 

Resolved f  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Pres- 
byteries under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly, 
when  they  shall  depose  any  of  their  members  from 
the  exercise  of  the  ministerial  oiRce ;  and  when  any 
person  so  deposed  shall,  without  having  been  regit- 
tarly  restored^  assume  the  ministerial  character,  or 
attempt  to  exercise  any  of  the  ministerial  functions  ; 
that  in  such  case,  with  a  view  to  prevent  such  de- 
posed person  from  imposing  himself  on  the  church- 
es, Presbyteries  be  careful  to  have  his  name  pub- 
lishe  in  the  Assembly's  Jllagazine.  as  deposed  from 
the  ministry,  that  all  the  churches  may  be  enabled 
to  guard  themselves  against  such  dangerous  impo- 
sitions.-—1808. 


Sect.  12.    Deposition  and  excommunication  dis- 
tinct. 

In  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  the  deposi- 


72  THE  prespytehies.  [part  hi. 

tion  and  excommunication  of  a  minister  are  distinct 
things,  not  necessarily  connected  with  each  other ; 
but  when  connected  ought  to  be  inflicted  by  the 
Presbytery  to  whom  the  power  of  judging  and  cen- 
suring ministers  properly  belongs. — 1814. 

Sect.  13.     Case  of  testimony. 

The  following  question  signed  by  William  C. 
Davis  :  ^^  Whether  testimony  taken  before  a  Ses- 
sion, and  sent  up  to  the  Presbytery,  under  the  sig- 
nature of  Moderator  and  Clerk,  will  not  be  sufl&cient 
in  references,  as  well  as  appeals,  to  render  the  case 
thus  referred  both  orderly  and  cognizable  by  Pres- 
bytery ;  was  answered  in  the  affirmative. — 1797. 
vol.  I.  p.  149. 

Sect.  14.     Sessional  Records  to  be  examined. 

The  following  resolution  was  submitted  to  the 
^p.Q  Assembly,  and,  after  a  lengthy  discussion, 
was  adopted. 

Whereas  it  appeared,  in  the  course  of  the  free 
conversation  on  the  state  of  religion,  that  in  one  of 
the  Presbyteries,  under  the  care  of  the  Assembly, 
the  sessional  records  of  the  several  church  sessions 
were  not  regularly  called  up  and  examined,  e^  cry 
year,  by  the  said  Presbytery;  and  there  is  reason  to 
believe  that  other  Presbyteries  had  conducted  in  the 
same  manner  :  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  it  be,  and  it  hereby  is,  required 
of  all  the  Presbyteries,  within  the  bounds  of  the 
General  Assembly,  annually,  to  call  up  and  exam- 
ine the  sessional  records  of  the  several  churches 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  73 

under  their  care^  as  directed  in  the  book  of  disci- 
pline. 

The  Presbyteries  were  called  upon  to  report  what 

4ftin     ^^tention  they  had  severally  paid  to  the 

order  of  the  last  Assembly,  in  relation  to 

sessional  records.     Upon  enquiry,  it  appeared  that 

the  Presbyteries  had  almost  universally  complied 

with  the  order. 

The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  order 
of  the  last  General  Assembly,  respecting  the  exam- 
ination of  session  books,  brought  in  their  report; 
which  was  read  and  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  Assembly  after  seriously  reviewing  the  or- 
der of  the  last  Assembly,  can  by  no  means  rescind 
the  said  order ;  inasmuch  as  they  consider  it  as 
founded  on  the  constitution  of  our  church,  and  as 
properly  resulting  from  the  obligation  on  the  high- 
est judicatory  of  the  church,  to  see  that  the  consti- 
tution be  duly  regarded.  Yet,  as  it  is  alleged, 
that  insisting  on  the  rigid  execution  of  tliis  order, 
witli  respect  to  some  of  the  church  sessions,  would 
not  be  for  edification,  the  Assembly  are  by  no  means 
disposed  to  urge  any  Presbytery  to  proceed  under 
this  order,  beyond  w  hat  they  may  consider  prudent 
and  useful. 


Sect,  15.  An  injunction  of  the  late  Synod  of 
J\rew  York  and  Philadelphia^  published  by  order  of 
the  Assembly,  in  1798. 

Tlie  Synod  considering  the  education  of  youth, 
and  their  being  early  iustructed  in  just  principles 
of  religion,  as  one  of  the  most  useful  means  of  pro- 

G 


74  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [pART  III. 

moting  the  influence  of  the  Gospel  in  our  churches ; 
Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  every  Presbytery, 
in  appointing  supplies  to  their  vacant  congregations, 
to  take  order  that  every  vacant  congi*egation  with- 
in their  limits  be  carefully  catechized,  at  least,  once 
in  the  year,  in  the  same  manner  as  is  required  by 
the  order  of  our  church,  in  congregations  supplied 
with  regular  pastors ;  that  the  ministers  appointed 
to  this  duty,  be  required,  at  the  next  meeting  of 
Presbytery,  to  render  an  account  of  their  fidelity  in 
this  respect ;  and  that  the  Presbyteries  be  required 
to  render  an  account  of  their  attention  to  this  or- 
der. 


Sect.  16.  A  iiastoral  care  to  he  exercised  over 
haptized  children. 

The  Committee  to  which  the  pastoral  letter  had 
been  committed,  submitted  to  the  Assembly  the 
following  resolution  ;  which,  being  read,  was  adopt- 
ed : 

Whereas  the  book  of  discipline  states  that  chil- 
dren, born  w  ithin  the  pale  of  the  visible  church  and 
dedicated  to  God  in  baptism,  are  under  the  inspec- 
tion and  government  of  the  church,  and  specifies 
various  important  particulars,  in  which  that  inspec- 
tion and  government  should  be  exercised,  as  also 
directs  the  mode,  in  which  they  shall  be  treated,  if 
tliey  do  not  perform  the  duties  of  church  members  ; 
and  whereas  there  is  reason  to  apprehend,  that 
many  of  our  congregations  neglect  to  catechise  the 
children  that  have  been  admitted  to  the  sealing  or- 
dinance of  baptism,  and  do  not  exercise  suitable 
discipline  over  them  :  tlierefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  different  Presbyteries  within 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUT1E&.  75 

our  bounds  are  hereby  directed  to  inquire  of  the  dif- 
ferent sessions,  whether  a  proper  pastoral  care  be 
exercised  over  baptized  children  in  their  congi*e- 
gations,  that  they  learn  the  principles  of  religion, 
and  walk  in  newness  of  life  before  God ;  and  that 
said  Presbyteries  do  direct  all  sessions  that  are  de- 
linquent in  this  respect,  to  attend  to  it  carefully  and 
without  delay.— 1809. 


Sect.  17.     Special  care  to  he  taken  in  selecting 
schoolmasters, See  Part  lY.  Sect.  9. 


Sect,  18.  The  Confession  of  Faith,  §*c.  to  he 
circulated. 

The  committee  appointed  to  inquire,  whether 
some  plan  cannot  be  devised  for  the  wider  circula- 
tion of  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Constitution 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  reported;  and  their 
report,  being  read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and 
is  as  follows  :  viz, 

1st.  That  it  be  strictly  enjoined  on  all  the  Pres- 
byteries, under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly, 
to  endeavour,  by  such  means  as  upon  careful  ex- 
amination shall  to  them  appear  best,  to  promote 
the  diffusion  and  wider  circulation  of  the  Confes- 
sion of  Faith  and  book  of  discipline  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

2nd.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  congi'ega- 
tions  in  our  connexion,  to  take  measures  to  supply 
tlieir  oAvn  poor  with  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and 
Catechisms,  and  Book  of  Discipline  of  our  Church. 
■--1816. 


^6  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [pART  111. 

Sect,  19.  •!  Missionary  recommendation  in 
1811. 

Ilesolved^  That  the  General  Assemhly  recom- 
mend to  the  Presbyteries  to  send  out  their  mem- 
bers, either  by  pairs  or  individually,  to  act  as  Mis- 
sionaries, in  the  country  contiguous  to  their  resi- 
dence, for  one  or  two  weeks  in  the  course  of  a  year; 
and  that  they  be  allowed,  as  their  compensation, 
what  they  may  collect  in  their  mission,  provided 
the  sum  so  collected  do  not  exceed  the  rate  of  S33 
38cts.  per  month. 

Resolved,  That  it  would  tend  to  promote  the  in- 
terest of  missions,  if  the  Missionaries  Avere  to  re- 
ceive religious  books  and  tracts  for  distribution 
among  the  people  to  Avhom  they  are  sent ;  and  that, 
in  order  to  accomplisli  this  object  the  more  easily, 
Resolved^  That  the  Presbyteries  be  directed  to  point 
out  places  of  deposite,  with  the  best  method  of  con- 
veying such  books  and  tracts. 

Sect.  20.     Attendance  on  the  Jissemhhj. 

The  Assembly,  having  found  by  the  experience 
1809  of  several  years  past,  that  the  business  to 
which  they  are  regularly  called  to  attend  is 
s()  greatly  increased,  that  the  sessions  are  unavoid- 
ably protracted  to  a  much  greater  length  than  for- 
merly; judged  it  expedient  that  the  Presbyteries 
should  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  informed,  that  their 
Commisfvioners  should  attend  with  the  expectation 
that  the  sessions  will  be  of  two  weeks  continu- 
ance, and  that  arrangements  should  be  made  ac- 
cordingly  Vol.  I.  p.  308. 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  77 

Resolved^  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to 

the  Presbyteries,  that  they  enjoin  it  upon 

their  Commissioners  to  the  Assembly  to  he 

punctual  in  attending  at  the  commencement  of  its 

sessions,  as  considerable  inconveniences  are  found 

to  result  in  this  respect. 


Sect,  21.  Sundry  injunctions  and  recommen' 
dations  passed  in  1799. 

It  requires,  under  the  gracious  direction  and  in- 
fluence of  divine  Providence,  the  awakened  zeal 
and  combined  exertions  of  all  the  friends  of  the  gos- 
pel of  Christ,  and  especially  of  its  ministers  and 
other  officers,  to  arrest  the  progress  of  vice  and  pro- 
faneness,  and  to  advance  the  principles  and  prac- 
tice of  virtue  and  piety.  For  this  end  it  seems  to 
be  requisite  to  revive  and  invigorate  our  attention 
to  the  qualifications  and  improvements  with  regard 
to  the  ministrv — to  the  wise  and  faithful  dischar2:c 
of  our  pastoral  duties — and  to  the  extension  of  the 
means  of  grace  to  those  portions  of  our  country  that 
have  hitherto  been  destitute  of  this  blessing.  Your 
committee  therefore,  recommend  to  the  Assembly 
to  enjoin  it  upon  all  their  Presbyteries. 

1st.  To  take  the  most  effectual  order  in  their 
power  to  increase,  if  possible,  the  qual- 

of 'candidates^  ifications  of  Candidates  for  the  gospel 
ministry,  with  regard  both  to  sincere 

piety,  and  to  solid  and  extensive  learning,  that  the 

improvements  of  the  pulpit  may  keep  full  pace  with 

the  progress  of  society  and  letters. 


<»  THE   PRESBYTKRIES.  PART  111. 

2u(l.  That  they  endeavour,  as  far  as  the  state  of 
society  in  different  parts  of  our  Church, 
Mmisiers.  ^vill  permit,  to  withdraw  the  ministers  of 
tl)e  gospel  from  every  worldly  avocation 
for  the  maintenance  of  themselves  and  families,  that 
they  may  devote  themselves  entirely  to  the  work 
of  their  ministry.  And  that,  for  this  end,  they  la- 
bo  rr  to  convince  the  people  of  the  advantage  that 
will  accrue  to  themselves  from  making  such  ade- 
quate provision  for  the  support  of  their  teachers  and 
pastors,  that  they  may  be  employed  wholly  in  their 
sacred  calling.  And,  in  those  places,  w  here  it  may 
be  found  prudent  and  practicable,  that  they  devise 
means  to  have  the  contracts  between  congregations 
and  pastors  examined  in  the  Presbyteries,  at 
!^tated  periods — inquiries  instituted  witli  regard  to 
10  reciprocal  fuliilment  of  duties  and  engagements 
— and  endeavours  used  to  promote  punctuality  and 
Ihlelity  in  both  parties,  before  distress  on  one  side, 
and  complaint  on  the  other,  grow  to  a  height  un- 
favourable to  the  interests  of  religion. 

3d.  That  inasmuch,  as  the  clergy  in  many  situa- 
.         tions  in  the  country  have  it  not  in  their 
Lfbi?rtes°"*    power  to  fumish  tliemselves  Avith  li- 
braries, so  various  and  extensive,  as  to 
enable  them  to  discharge  tlieir  office  in  the  manner 
Qiost  useful  to  the  people,  most  dignified  to  the  pul- 
pit, and  most  honorable  to  religion ;  it  be  recom- 
mended to  Presbyteries,  to  take  measures  to  pro- 
jiiote  the  establishment  of  congregational  libraries, 
under  such  i*egulations,  that  tlie  Presbyteries  shall 
have  the  principal  direction  in  the  choice  of  the 
books  with  which  those  libraries  shall  be  furnish- 
ed :  the  ministers  of  the  respective  churches,  shall 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  79 

have  the  immediate  care,  and  the  constant  use  of 
them,  and  that  means  be  used  to  make  annual  aug- 
mentations to  them. 

4th.  That,  in  the  discharge  of  pastoral  duties, 
they  take  the  utmost  care,  that  the 
'twaiDuUes.^^  word  of  Grod  be  known  and  under- 
stood by  the  people ;  and  that,  for  this 
purpose,  in  their  public  instructions,  the  practice  of 
lecturing  on  certain  portions  of  the  holy  scriptures, 
be  not  laid  aside,  but  rather  revived  and  increased: 
— That  they  endeavour,  where  it  is  prudent  and 
practicable,  to  institute  private  societies  for  read- 
ing, prayer,  and  pious  conversation.  Above  all, 
that  they  be  faithful  in  the  duties  of  family  visita- 
tion, and  the  catechetical  instruction  of  children 
and  youth.  And,  that,  in  order  to  aid  these  views, 
they  endeavour  to  engage  the  sessions  of  the  re- 
spective congregations,  or  other  men  most  distin- 
guished for  intelligence  and  piety  in  them,  to  as- 
sume, as  trustees,  the  superintendance  and  inspec- 
tion of  the  schools  established  for  the  instruction 
and  improvement  of  children  in  the  elements  of 
knowledge;  to  see  that  they  be  provided  with  teach- 
ers of  grave  and  respectable  characters,  and  tliat 
these  teachers,  among  other  objects  of  their  duty, 
instruct  their  pupils  in  the  principles  of  religion ; 
which  shall  be  done,  as  often  as  possible,  in  the 
presence  of  one  or  more  of  the  aforesaid  trustees, 
under  the  deep  conviction,  tliat  the  care  and  edu- 
cation of  children^  the  examples  set  before  them, 
and  the  first  impressions  made  on  their  minds,  are 
of  the  utmost  importance  to  civil  society,  as  w  ell  as 
to  the  church. 


80  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  lU. 

5th.  That  inasmuch,  as  the  General  Assembly 
are  assiduously  labouring  to  propagate 
for  Missions,  ^he  gospel  throughout  our  extensive  and 
growing  frontiers,  and  in  those  places 
most  destitute  of  the  means  of  grace,  it  be  earnestly 
enjoined  on  each  Presbytery  to  use  their  most  dili- 
gent endeavours,  to  collect  voluntary  and  liberal 
contributions,  and  to  obtain  pious  donations  and 
bequests  from  every  congregation,  whether  fur- 
nished with  a  pastor,  or  vacant,  in  order  supply 
the  funds,  which  are  absolutely  necessary  to  carry 
on  w  ith  advantage  this  great  and  charitable  work. 

Let  ministers  study  to  impress  the  minds  of  the 
people,  with  the  importance  of  tlie  object,  be  dili- 
gent in  their  own  exertions  to  promote  it,  and  punc- 
tual in  forwarding  their  contributions  to  the  Trea- 
surers of  the  commissions  of  the  southern  Synods, 
or  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America ; 
assured,  that  without  their  faithful  aid  and  co-ope- 
ration, missions  and  other  undertakings  of  utility 
to  the  church,  so  piously  begun,  and  hitherto  con- 
ducted with  such  promising  prospects  of  success, 
must  eventually  fail.  And  let  it  be  required  of  all 
the  Presbyteries,  that  they  annually  send  up  to  the 
General  Assembly,  along  with  the  duplicates  of 
their  reports,  exact  accounts  of  all  monies  received, 
and  transmitted  for  these  objects,  that  they  may  be 
used  as  checks  on  the  Treasury. 

6th.    That  the    recommendations  and   regula- 
tions, that  are,  from  year  to  year,  made  and 
Exiracis.    published  by  the  General  Assembly,  may 
ahvays  be  known  and  present  in  the  judica- 
tories of  the  church,  for  their  direction  and  govern- 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    DUTIES.  81 

ment,  that  it  be  required  that  each  Presbytery^  Sy- 
nod, and  the  General  Assembly  for  ever,  preserve 
one  copy  of  the  extracts  or  journals,  that  are  yearly 
published,  for  its  own  use — that  it  shall  be  indexed, 
and  stitched  or  bound  with  those  which  have  prece- 
ded it,  in  the  manner  that  shall  be  deemed  most 
expedient;  and  that  the  whole  shall  be  always 
kept,  or  brought  up  to  the  place  of  meeting  of  such 
Presbytery,  Synod,  or  General  Assembly,  along 
with  their  own  records. 

7th.  That  they  send  up  with  their  yearly  re- 
ports, a  schedule,  containing  the  number  of  com- 
municants belonging  to  each  of  their  churches,  and 
the  number  of  persons  yearly  baptized,  whether 
in  infancy,  or  at  adult  age. 

All  w  hich  is  humbly  submitted  by  your  commit- 
tee. 

The  report  being  read,  resolved,  that  it  be  ap- 
proved and  adopted — and  ordered,  that  the  several 
Synods,  Presbyteries,  and  individual  churches,  as 
far  as  they  are  respectively  concerned,  govern  them- 
selves accordingly. — Vol.  I.  p.  204,  205. 

Sect.  22.  Siibscrijption  to  the  Widows^  fund,  re- 
commended in  1800. 

The  Assembly  earnestly  recommend  it  to  the 
Presbyteries,  that,  when  they  settle  ministers  in 
their  churches,  they  endeavour  to  convince  such 
ministers,  of  the  importance  of  their  speedily  be- 
coming contributors  to  the  Widows'  fund;  where- 
by they  may  at  once  provide  for  the  support  of 
their  own  families,    and  assist  in   supp6rting  aa 


82  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  III. 

institution  so  charitable  and  useful  in  the  church. 
—Vol.  I.  p.  227. 

See,  Pai^  VI.,  at  the  close,  a  statement  on  this 
subject  by  the  Treasurer  of  the  corporation  of  the 
Widows'  fund,  published  by  order  of  the  Assem- 
bly in  1818. 


CHAPTER  III. 

OF  THE  REPORTS  OF  PRESBYTERIES, 


Sect.  1.   Written  reports  on  the  state  of  Reli- 
gion required, 

W  HERE  AS  it  has  been  the  practice  of  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly,  for  a  number  of  years  past,  (a 
practice  from  wiiich  much  information  highly  inter- 
esting, useful  and  animating,  has  been  derived)  to 
make  enquiries  of  all  the  representatives  of  the 
Presbyteries,  as  well  as  from  those  of  the  sister 
churches  with  wliich  the  Assembly  is  connected, 
relative  to  the  state  of  religion,  within  the  region 
from  Mhich  the  representatives  severally  come;  and 
whereas  it  is  desirable  that  tlie  information  so  col- 
lected should  be  complete,  concise  and  accurate, 


CHAP.  III.]  THE    REPORTS.  83 

and  that  the  time  of  the  Assembly  may  not  be  un- 
necessarily consumed  in  receiving  it :  therefore  Re- 
solved^  as  a  standing  rule,  that  a  written  statement 
shall  annually  be  required  from  the  representatives 
of  each  Presbytery  or  Association  in  the  General 
Assembly,  which  ^^litten  statement  shall  first  be 
read  by  one  of  such  representatives ;  after  which 
each  of  the  other  representatives  shall  be  permitted 
to  add  verbally  all  the  information,  not  contained 
in  the  written  statement,  which  he  may  judge  wor- 
thy of  the  attention  of  the  Assembly. — 1811. 

Sect.  2.  Hides  relative  to  RejjortSy  adopted  in 
1806,  and  subsequently  altered. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prescribe  the  forms 
of  reports  from  inferior  to  superior  judicatories  of 
tha  church,  exhibited  their  report  with  the  proposed 
forms  at  large.  The  Assembly,  having  read  the 
report,  and  considered  the  forms  submitted  to  them, 
approved  the  same ;  and  ordered  that  the  report, 
with  the  forms,  be  printed  in  an  appendix  to  the  ex- 
tracts of  the  present  year,  and  that  the  judicatories 
concerned  be  required  to  observe  these  forms,  in 
their  future  reports. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draught  forms  for 
the  reports,  from  the  inferior  to  tlie  superior  judica- 
tories, report,  that  they  have  draughted  forms, 
agreeably  to  the  existing  regulations,  and  the 
amendments  to  them  which  they  have  thought  pro- 
per to  propose.  The  regulations,  as  amended, 
stand  tiius  : 

I.  The  Presbyteries  shall  direct  each  congrega- 


84  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART    Iir. 

tion,  whether  supplied  or  vacant^  to  make  an  an- 
nual report  to  the  Presbytery  to  which  it  belongs  ; 
stating  the  number  of  communicants,  and  the  num- 
ber of  persons  baptized,  and  distinguishing  both 
agreeably  to  the  form  prescribed  for  reports  from 
congregations  to  Presbyteries.      (See  Form  No,  1.) 

II.  Presbyteries  shall  make  annual  reports  to 
their  Synods ;  stating  a  list 

Of  pastors,  in  the  order  of  seniority  in  the  mi- 
nistry, annexing  the  names  of  their  churches,  to 
those  who  have  pastoral  charges,  and  distinguish- 
ing those  who  have  not,  as  in  the  form  : 

Of  vacancies ;  designating  those  which  are  able^ 
and  those  which  are  unable,  to  support  pastors  : 

Of  licentiates,  together  with  the  number  (with- 
out the  names)  of  candidates  for  licensure  : 

An  account  of  the  number  of  communicants  ad- 
mitted the  last  year,  with  the  sum  total  in  com- 
munion ;  and  likewise  the  number  of  persons  bap- 
tized in  the  same  time,  distinguishing  adults  from 
infants : 

And  the  amount  of  collections  made  for  the  Pres- 
byterial,  the  Missionary,  and  the  Commissioners' 
funds ;  and  also  the  amount  raised,  by  collection  or 
subscription,  for  the  education  of  poor  and  pious 
young  men  for  the  ministry,  together  with  the  amount 
of  the  collections  for  the  Theological  Seminary. 

These  reports  should  be  closed  by  an  historical 
account  of  licensures,  ordinations,  instalments,  sus- 
pensions, depositions,  translations,  deaths,  and  also 
of  members  or  licentiates  received  or  dismissed  :  in 
which  account,  particular  care  must  be  taken  to  men- 
tion the  Presl)ytery  from  which  a  minister  or  licen- 
tiate is  received,  or  the  Presbytery  to  join  which,  or 


CHAP.  III.]  THE    REPORTS.  85 

to  put  him  under  the  care  of  which  he  is  dismissed. 
(See  Form  No.  2.) 

m.  The  Synods  shall  report  to  each  General 
Assembly,  and  detail  the  whole  Presbyterial  re- 
ports, except  the  historical  account  above  men- 
tioned. 

IV.  The  Synods  which  manage  their  own  mis- 
sionary concerns,  and  their  several  Presbyteries, 
shall,  for  the  information  of  the  Greneral  Assembly, 
report  the  amount  of  their  collections,  for  the  pious 
uses  specified  in  the  form. 

V.  Presbyteries  shall  send  to  each  General  As- 
sembly, a  duplicate  of  their  reports  to  the  Synods. 
But  they  are  at  liberty,  in  some  cases,  to  deviate 
from  this  rule,  and  extend  their  reports  to  then*  last 
meeting  immediately  preceding  that  of  the  General 
Assembly,  so  as  to  include  all  proper  subjects  of 
report  up  to  that  time. 

VI.  The  Synods  and  Presbyteries  shall  report 
on  the  subject  of  missionaries,  and  missionary  bu- 
siness, only  to  the  Board  of  J\Iissions  ;  and  to  se- 
cure a  regard  to  this  rule,  the  Assembly  will,  at 
each  annual  session,  inquire  whetlier  the  Synods 
and  Presbyteries  have  made  such  report. 

All  reports  shall  bear  date  and  signature  ;  and  if, 
by  any  means,  they  fail  of  being  sent  to  the  proper 
judicatories,  should  be  sent  by  mail,  to  the  stated 
clerks  of  the  Synods,  or  to  the  stated  clerk  of  the 
Assembly. 

Vn.  The  preceding  rules  shall  come  in  place 
of  all  former  rules  on  the  subjects  contemplated 


86  THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  111. 

by  them  ;  and  the  Synods,  Presbyteries,  and  con- 
gregations, are  required  to  pay  a  special  regard  to 
these  rules,  and  in  their  reports  to  superior  judi- 
catures, to  make  use  of  the  forms  adapted  to  them. 

To  secure  to  the  different  Synods,  Presbyteries, 
and  Congregations,  the  possession  and  knowledge 
of  these  rules  and  forms,  the  committee  would  also 
recommend  the  printing  of  them  in  an  appendix  to 
the  annual  extracts  of  the  Assembly's  minutes,  for 
several  years  in  succession,  till  the  judicatories  shall 
have  become  familiar  with  them ;  and  that,  when- 
ever the  Assembly  shall  make  any  resolutions  or 
rules  affecting  these  rules  and  forms,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Permament  Clerk  to  make  the  re- 
quisite alterations  in  both. 

The  committee  would  further  propose,  that  the 
Assembly  should  make  it  a  standing  rule,  annu- 
ally to  appoint  a  committee,  who  shall  take  the  Sy- 
nodical  and  Presbyterial  reports,  after  they  have 
been  read  before  the  Assembly,  and  fill  up  the 
blanks  of  a  form,  prepared  to  exhibit  a  compen- 
dious view  of  the  number  of  ministers,  congrega- 
tions, licentiates,  candidates,  and  communicants, 
together  with  the  baptisms  and  collections  in  one 
year. 

And  finally,  the  committee  would  propose  that 
the  Assembly  should  order  the  Permanent  Clerk 
to  have  printed,  a  number  of  copies  of  the  form,  ex- 
hibiting a  compendious  view,  &c.  to  be  bound  to- 
gether, in  a  separate  book,  and  preserved  for  the  be- 
nefit of  those  who  wish  to  become  acquainted  with 
the  state  of  our  church.^ 


*  This  order  has  been  executed;  and  if  all  the  Presbyteries  make 
their  annual  reports,  this  book  will  contain  a  compendious  history  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 


CHAP.  III.] 


THE    REPORTS, 


87 


to 

s 

Total  in  communion 
per  last  report. 

Annual  Report  of  the  Church  of 

From  Afril       1820  to  April      1821 

On  examination. 

Members 
since  added. 

05 

On  certificate 

X 

Died 

03 

Dismissed. 

I-*- 

Suspended. 

X 

Total  now  in  com- 
munion. 

X 

Adults. 

Baptiz 

since  the 

Repoi 

§ 

Infants. 

s 

Total. 

O 


88 


THE    PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  IIL 


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CHAP.  III.]  THE    REPORTS.  89 

The  preceding  Form  No.  2  is  to  be  used  by  the 
Presb}i:eries  in  their  reports^  both  to  the  General 
Assembly,  and  to  the  respective  Synods  to  which 
they  belong ;  and  likewise  by  the  Synods  in  their 
reports  to  the  General  Assembly.  The  Presbyte- 
ries and  Synods  are  requested  to  observe  particu- 
larly the  order  in  which  the  headings  of  the  several 
columns  stand,  and  to  use  the  same  words.  Varia- 
tion, in  either  respect,  produces  difficulty  and  con- 
fusion, when  the  reports  are  read  by  the  judicato- 
ries. 

To  this  Form,  when  used  in  reports  from 
Presbyteries  to  the  Synods,  or  to  the  General 
Assembly,  must  be  subjoined  the  Historical  Ac- 
count of  licensures,  ordinations,  instalments,  &c. 
required  by  the  last  paragraph  of  the  Rule  mark- 
ed II. 


Sect,  3.     Special  injunctions  about  reports. 

Whereas,  from  a  variety  of  causes,  the  reports 
iftOQ     ^^'^^  ^^^^  Synods  and  Presbyteries  to  the 
General    Assembly,    are    sometimes    not 
brought  forward  to  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly, 
and  it  is  of  much  importance  that  these  reports 
should  be  complete,  tlie  General  iVssembly  did, 
and  hereby  do    renewedly,  enjoin  it   on  all  the 
Synods  and  Presbyteries  under  their  care,  to  be 
very  attentive  both  in  seeing  that  these   reports 
.are  accurately  and  seasonably  prepared,   agree- 
ably  to  the  prescribed    forms,    and    in   sending 
them  forward  annually  to  the  Assembly;  but,  if 
by  any  accident  there  be  a  failure  in  this  respect 
by   any   Synod  or  Presbytery,   such    Synod  or 

H  2 


90  THE   PRESBYTERIES.  [PART  III. 

Presbyteiy  shall,  as  soon  as  the  failure  is  disco- 
vered, forward  the  deficient  report,  by  letter  to  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly,  that  its  results 
may  be  entered  in  the  book  prepared  for  that 
pm-pose ;  and  thus  the  design  of  the  Assembly,  to 
obtain  and  preserve  from  year  to  year,  a  com- 
plete view  of  the  clmrches,  may  be  accomplish- 
ed. And  to  secure  a  due  attention  to  this  impor- 
tant object,  it  is  hereby  enjoined  on  every  Pres- 
bytery annually  to  inquire  of  the  Commissioners 
to  the  Assembly,  at  their  first  meeting  after  the 
rising  of  the  Assembly,  whether  the  annual  Re- 
port of  that  Presbytery  was  laid  before  the  As- 
sembly.* 

Ordered  that  the  several  Presbyteries  be  parti- 
cularly attentive  to  prescribed  forms,  when  such 
may  be  had,  in  all  official  papers  to  be  made  out 
agreeably  to  the  constitution  of  this  church. — 1789. 
Yol.  I.  p.  3. 

JResolvedf  that  it  be  renewedly  enjoined  on  all 

the  Synods  and  Presbyteries,  in  connection 

with  this  Assembly,  to  take  special  care,  that 

their  annual  reports  to  the  Assembly  be  made  out 

according  to  the  forms  prescribed  in  the  printed 

extracts. 

Sect.  4.  Presbyteries  to  report  to  the  Board  of 
Missions. 


*  It  will  be  observed  by  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  that  the  re- 
ports-which  they  send  to  the  Stated  Clerk,  after  the  risinjj  of  the  As- 
sembly, should  not  be  carried  farther,  than  the  dat-e  which  they  would 
have  borne,  if  they  had  been  sent  to  the  Assembly. 


CHAP.  III.]  THE    REPORTS.  91 

On  inquiry  it  appeared^  that  the  Presbyteries^ 
in  general,  conceiving  that  the  whole  missionary 
business  had  been  devolved  on  the  standing  com- 
mittee of  missions,  had  given  to  that  body  such 
information  on  the  subject,  as  would  otherwise 
have  been  transmitted  to  this  Assembly.  The 
Asembly  accepted  the  apology  of  the  Presbyte- 
ries, and  approved  their  conduct  in  making  their 
communications  in  manner  aforesaid ;  and  the 
Assembly  directed  the  Presbyteries,  in  future,  to 
report  on  this  subject  to  the  committee  of  mis- 
sions only ;  and  to  make  their  reports  so  early,  as 
to  enable  the  said  committee  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  information,  and  present  the  same  to  the 
General  Assembly,  from  year  to  year. — 1803. 


PART   IV. 


OF  THE 


©iM©©ii(Dsrg  0 


CHAPTER  I. 

OF  THE  DUTIES  OF  SESSIONS. 


Sect.  1.  Extract  from  the  Records  of  the  Synod 
rfJVew  Fork  and  Philadelphia. 

L  HE  Synod  enjoin  that  exact  registers  of  births, 
baptisms,  marriages,  and  burials,  be  kept  in  every 
congregation.'' — 1788. 

Sect,  2.  Universalists  not  to  be  admitted  to  seal- 
ing  ordinances. 


A  question  from  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  was 
introduced  through  the  Committee  of  Bills  and 
Overtures,  which  was  as  follows  :  viz,  ^^Are  they 


CHAP.  I.]  THE    DUTIES.  9^ 

who  publickly  profess  a  belief  in  the  doctrine  of 
the  universal  and  actual  salvation  of  the  whole  hu- 
man race,  or  of  the  fallen  angels,  or  both,  through 
the  mediation  of  Christ,  to  be  admitted  to  the  seal- 
ing ordinances  of  the  gospel." — The  Assembly  de- 
termined that  such  person  should  not  be  admitted. 
—1792.     Vol.  I.  p.  64. 

The  consideration  of  Dr.  M^C's  letter  was  re- 
sumed. On  the  first  proposition  in  the  letter,  re- 
questing a  reconsideration  of  the  sentence  of  the 
General  Assembly  respecting  the  doctrine  of  uni- 
versal salvation,  passed  at  Carlisle,  in  1792,  The 
Assembly  unanimously  agreed  to  adhere  to  the 
aforesaid  decision. — 1794.     Vol.  I.  p.  94. 

Sect.  3.  The  apinion  of  the  lede  Synod  ofJ\'*ew 
York  and  Philadelphia,  in  regard  to  the  doctrine  of 
universal  salvation. 

Whereas  the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation  and 
of  the  finite  duration  of  Hell  Torments,  has  been 
propagated  by  sundry  persons,  who  live  in  the 
United  States  of  America;  and  the  people  under 
our  care  may  possibly,  from  their  occasional  con- 
versation with  the  propagators  of  such  a  dangerous 
opinion,  be  infected  by  the  doctrine:  the  Synod 
take  this  opportunity  to  declare  their  utter  abhor- 
rence of  such  doctrines  as  they  apprehend  to  be 
subversive  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  religion 
and  morality;  and  therefore  earnestly  recommend 
it  to  all  their  Presbyteries  and  members  to  be 
watchful  upon  this  subject,  and  to  guard  against 
the  introduction  of  such  tenets  amongst  our  people. 
'—1787.     Page  487. 


94  THE    SESSIONS.  [part  IV. 


CHAPTER  II. 


OF  CASES  OF  BAPTISM. 


Sect  1.  The  u7iwoHhiness  of  a  Minister  does 
^lot  invalidate  ordinances. 

The  following  question  was  proposed  by  the 
committee  of  overtures:  viz.  Ought  such  persons  to 
be  re-baptized,  as  have  been  offered  in  baptism  by 
notoriously  profligate  parents,  and  baptized  by 
ministers  of  the  same  description?  On  this  question 
the  General  Assembly,  after  a  full  investigation, 
adopted  the  following  determination :  viz. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  a  principle  of  this  church, 
that  the  unworthiness  of  the  ministers  of  the  gospel 
does  not  invalidate  the  ordinances  of  religion  dis- 
pensed by  them. — It  is  also  a  principle,  that  as  long 
as  any  denomination  of  cliristians  is  acknowledged 
by  us  a  churcli  of  Christ,  we  ought  to  hold  the  or- 
dinances dispensed  by  it  as  valid,  notwithstanding 
the  unworthiness  of  particular  ministers.  Yet,  inas- 
much as  no  general  rule  can  be  made  to  embrace 
all  circumstances,  there  may  be  irregularities  in  par- 
ticular administrations,  l)y  men  not  yet  divested  of 


CHAP.  II.]  CASES  OF  BAPTIS!^!.  95 

tlieir  office  either  in  this  or  in  other  churches,  ^vhich 
may  render  them  null  and  void. — But,  as  these  ir- 
regularities  must  often  result  from  circumstances 
and  situations,  that  cannot  be  anticipated  and  point- 
ed out  in  the  rule,  they  must  be  left  to  be  judged  of 
by  the  prudence  and  wisdom  of  church  sessions, 
and  the  higher  judicatories  to  which  they  may  be 
referred.  In  such  cases,  it  may  be  adviseable  to 
administer  the  ordinance  of  baptism  in  a  regular 
manner,  where  a  prophane  exhibition  of  the  cere- 
mony may  have  been  attempted. — These  cases 
and  circumstances  however  are  to  be  inquired 
into  by  the  church  sessions,  and  referred  to  a 
Presbytery  before  a  final  decision. — 1790.  Vol.  I. 
p.  20. 


Sect.  2.     Engagements  to  he  required  in  Bap- 
tism. 

The  folloAving  question,  brought  before  the  As- 
sembly, through  the  Committee  of  Overtures,  was 
read:  vi%.  ^-Whether,  besides  requiring  of  parents, 
dedicating  their  children  to  God  in  baptism,  an  ex- 
press acknowledgment  of  the  duties  of  parents  and 
recommending  to  them  the  observance  thereof,  it 
should  be  considered  as  essential  to  require  also^ 
that  they  come  under  an  explicit  vow^  or  solemn  en- 
gagement to  perform  those  duties?"  Whereupon  the 
Assembly  resolved,  that  an  answer  to  the  question 
is  contained,  in  the  directory  for  public  worship  of 
this  church,  under  the  head  of  administration  of 
baptism,  wiiich  requires  an  express  engagement  on 
the  part  of  the  parents, — 1794. 


96  THE    SESSIONS.  [part  I\  . 

Sect,  3.  The  administration  of  Baptism  by 
Unitarians  invalid. 

The  committee  to  M'hicli  was  referred  the  ques- 
tion submitted  by  the  member  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Harmony,  and  with  the  advice  of  that  Presbyte- 
ry, in  the  following  words :  viz. 

"  A  person,  who  had  been  baptized  in  infancy 
by  Dr.  Priestly,  applied  for  admission  to  the 
Lord's  table  :  should  the  baptism  administered  by 
Dr.  Priestly,  then  a  Unitarian,  be  considered  va- 
lid ?  reported ;  and  their  report  being  read,  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows  :  viz. 

Resolved^  That  this  question  be  answered  in 
the  negative ;  and  it  accordingly  was  determined  in 
the  negative.  In  the  present  state  of  our  country, 
whilst  Unitarian  errors,  in  various  fonns,  are  mak- 
ing their  insidious  approaches — whilst  the  advo- 
vates  of  this  heresy  in  many  cases  are  practising 
a  system  of  concealment,  and  insinuating  them- 
selves into  the  confidence  of  multitudes  who  have 
no  suspicion  of  their  defection  from  the  faith,  the 
Assembly  feel  it  to  be  their  duty  to  speak  without 
reserve.  It  is  the  deliberate  and  unanimous  opi- 
nion of  this  Assembly,  that  those  who  renounce 
the  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  and  deny 
that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  same  in  substance,  equal  in 
power  and  glory,  with  the  Father,  cannot  be  recog- 
nized as  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  that  their  mi- 
nistrations are  wholly  invalid. — 1814. 

Sect.  4.     The  children  of  slaves  to  be  Baptized 
when  presented  by  their  masters. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  follow- 
ing question :  viz.  "  Ought  Baptism,  on  the  profes- 


CHAP.  H.]  CASES  OF  BAPTISM.  97 

sion  and  promise  of  the  master^  to  be  administered 
to  the  children  of  slaves  ?  reported,  and  their  re- 
port being  amended  was  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  viz, 

1st.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  masters  who  are  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  to  present  the  children  of  pa- 
rents in  servitude  to  the  ordinance  of  Baptissm,  pro- 
vided they  are  in  a  situation  to  train  them  up  in 
the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  thus  se- 
curing to  them  the  rich  advantages,  which  the  Gos- 
pel provides. 

2d.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  Christ's  ministers  to 
inculcate  this  doctrine,  and  to  baptize  all  children 
of  this  description,  w  hen  presented  to  them  by  their 
masters. — 1816. 


Sect  5.  A  similar  question  ansivered  by  the 
Synod  of  JSTew  York  and  Fhiladeljphia. 

The  following  case  of  conscience  from  Donnegal 
Presbytery  was  overtured:  viz.  Whether  Christian 
masters  or  mistresses  ought  in  duty  to  have  such 
children  baptized,  as  are  under  their  care,  though 
born  of  parents  not  in  the  communion  of  any  chris- 
tian church?  Upon  this  overture  Synod  are  of  opi- 
nion, that  christian  masters  and  mistresses  whose 
religious  professions  and  conduct  are  such,  as  to 
give  them  a  right  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism  for 
their  own  children,  may,  and  ought  to,  dedicate  the 
children  of  their  household  to  God,  in  that  ordi- 
nance, when  they  have  no  scruple  of  conscience  to 
the  contrary. — 1786.     Page  413. 

I 


98  THE   SESSIONS.  [PART  IV. 

Sect,  6.  The  Synod's  decision  on  the  duty  of 
Christian  slaves y  in  regard  to  the  Baptism  of  their 
children. 

It  was  overtured^  Whether  christian  slaves  hav- 
ing children  at  the  entire  direction  of  unchristian 
masters,  and  not  having  it  in  their  power  to  instruct 
them  in  religion,  are  bound  to  have  them  baptized ; 
and  whether  a  gospel  minister  in  this  predicament 
ought  to  baptize  them?  And  Synod  determined  the 
question  in  the  affirmative. — 1786.     Page  414. 

Sect,  7.  A  person  having  scruples  about  infant 
Baptism  may  he  admitted  to  Communion, 

A  letter  also  came,  through  the  committee  of  ovei*- 
tures,  from  Bethuel  Church  Esq.  inquiring  whe- 
ther he  may  be  admitted  to  occasional  communion, 
whilst  he  has  sciniples  concerning  infant  baptism. 

The  letter  from  Bethuel  Church  Esq.  as  over- 
tured,  was  read,  and  the  motion  formerly  made, 
thus  amended — ^^That  the  sessions  of  tlie  Church 
of  Cambridge  be  permitted  to  receive  Mr.  Church 
upon  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  good  character, 
his  scruples  notwithstanding,''  was  taken  up  and 
agreed  to.— 1798.     Vol.  I.  p,  167,  170. 


OHAP.  III. J  CASES  OF  MARRIAGE.  99 

CHAPTER  in. 

OF  CASES  OF  MARRIAGE. 


Sect,  1.    A  question  relative  to  a  man  having  two 
wives y  answered  in  1790. 

The  following  case  ffcm  the  Session  of  Mount 
Sion  Churchy  in  Fayette  County^  Kentucky,  was 
referred  to  the  Assembly  for  counsel:  viz.  ^^Re- 
specting a  married  man^  who  left  Ireland  a  number 
of  years  ago^  leaving  his  family  behind  him,  with 
hopes  of  providing  better  for  them  in  this  country  : 
He  afterwards  returned  to  Ireland  three  sundry 
times,  with  an  intention  of  bringing  in  his  family : 
but  by  no  arguments  could  his  Avife  be  persuaded 
to  come  with  him ;  and  the  last  time  peremptorily 
refused  all  further  cohabitation.  He  afterwards 
returned,  and  remained  in  single  life  ten  years,  in 
this  country :  He  is  since  married,  and  has  chil- 
dren in  second  marriage.  His  wife  and  he  are  de- 
siring communion.  The  Assembly's  judgment  is 
iiereby  humbly  requested,  how,  or  whether,  such 
persons,  or  any  of  them,  can  be  admitted  to  the 
communion  of  the  church. 

From  Mount  Sion  Session,  in  Kentucky; — By 

appointment. Jtpril  iOtJi.  1790. 

ADAM  RANKIN,  Moderator. 


iOO  THE    SESSIONS.  [PART  IV. 

The  consideration  of  this  case  was  deferred  till 
the  afternoon. 

The  Assemhly  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
case  referred  from  the  Session  of  Mount  Sion  in 
Kentucky,  for  counsel ;  and  after  some  time  spent 
in  deliberation  on  the  subject,  were  of  opinion, 
— That  a  man  in  circumstances  such  as  the  case 
has  stated,  ought  not  to  be  admitted  to  the  privile- 
^^es  of  the  church. — But,  in  order  to  give  as  much 
information  as  possible  to  the  Session  of  Mount 
Sion,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Smith  was  request- 
ed to  prepare  a  draught  of  a  letter  to  that  Session, 
stating  the  reasons  on  which  the  above  opinion  is 
founded; — who,  after  sometime,  reported  the  fol- 
lowing, which  was  agreed  to  :  viz. 

^'  The  General  Assembly  to  the  Session  of  Mount 
Si  on  Church. 

On  the  subject  of  your  application  to  this  ju- 
dicatory, relative  to  a  mr.n  who  has  married  a 
second'  wife,  while  his  first  is  yet  living,  without 
having  obtained  a  legal  divorce  from  her, — the 
Assembly,  from  the  view  of  the  facts,  as  stated  in 
the  Avritten  application  of  the  Session,  have  judged 
that  this  man  ought  not  to  be  admitted  to  the  pri- 
vileges of  the  church:  Because,  although  wilful  and 
obstinate  desertion  is  a  legal  cause  of  divorce,  yet 
it  does  not  appear  that  this  man  has  actually  been 
divorced  from  his  wife;  and  it  is  improper  and  dan- 
gerous to  receive  to  church  communion  such  per- 
sons as  in  the  eye  of  the  civil  law  are  living  in  vice : 
And  although  a  good  man  may  sometimes  be  op- 
pressed by  power,  and  prevented  from  obtaining  a 
divorce  wliere  sufficient  causes  exist:  yet  it  does  not 


CHAP.  III.]  CASES  OF  MARRIAGE,  IQl 

appear  from  your  representation  that  he  has  used 
the  proper  means  to  obtain  a  legal  divorce^  nor 
even  to  authenticate  the  facts  upon  which  he  founds 
his  application  for  the  privileges  of  the  church,  by 
sufficient  evidence  from  Ireland — the  place  in  w  hich 
they  happened,  and  where  alone  they  can  be  sub- 
stantiated: and  it  is  contrary  to  all  just  rules  of  pro- 
ceeding to  take  any  evidence  or  representation  ex 
parte. — But,  the  decision  of  the  Assembly  notwith- 
standing, if  it  shall  appear  that  this  man  was  sepa- 
rated from  his  wife  bv  her  Avilful  and  obstinate  de- 
sertion,  and  that  he  has  taken  all  just  means  to  ob- 
tain a  divorce  to  which  he  was  lawfully  entitled, 
but  w  as  prevented  and  oppressed  by  the  pow  er  of 
antagonists  or  of  unjust  courts ;  and  if  he  shall, 
moreover,  produce  such  evidence  of  these  facts, 
from  the  place  in  which  they  happened,  as  would 
entitle  him  to  a  divorce  by  the  laws  of  this  land, 
and  of  this  church  ;  then,  in  that  case,  it  is  the  opi- 
nion of  the  General  Assembly,  that  such  a  man, 
behaving  himself  otherwise  as  a  good  christian, 
may  be  admitted  to  church  privileges.  But,  in 
such  case,  it  is  necessary  that  the  most  authentic 
evidence  be  required,  and  great  caution  used,  both 
that  the  proceedings  of  the  church  may  not  be  in- 
consistent with  the  civil  law,  and  that  a  door  be 
not  opened  to  laxness,  on  this  important  subject 
of  morals. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  General  Assembly.— 
Vol.  L  p.  21,  22. 

Sect.  2.  •!  question  relative  to  a  man  married 
to  his  wife^s  brother's  daughter^  answered  by  the 
Synody  in  1772. 


102  THE    SESSIONS.  [PAHT  IV. 

A  reference  from  tlie  First  Presbytery  of  Phila- 
delphia, respecting  this  question :  viz.  Whether  a 
man  may  lawfully  marry  his  Avife's  brother's  daugh- 
ter,  was  brought  in  and  read,  and  the  consideration 
of  it  deferred  till  the  afternoon. 

The  further  consideration  of  the  reference  from 
the  First  Philadelphia  Presbytery  was  deferred  till 
next  vear. — 1770.     Pasre  194. 

In  1771  the  case  again  deferred. — Page  209. 

The  case  referred  to  this  Synod  by  the  last,  re 
specting  marriage,  came  to  be  considered ;  and  af- 
ler  some  time  spent  in  the  affair,  it  was  deferred 
till  tomorrow  morning;  and  Messrs.  M^Whorter, 
Strain,  Matthew  Wilson,  and  George  Duflield  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  minute  on 
the  case,  and  bring  it  in  to-morrow  morning. — 
Page  222. 

The  committee  appointed  yesterday  upon  the 
case  respecting  marriage,  brought  in  a  minute,  which, 
after  being  corrected,  Avas  approved,  and  is  as  fol- 
low s  :  After  mature  deliberation  the  Synod  declare 
their  great  dissatisfaction  witli  all  such  marriages 
as  are  inconsistent  with  the  Levitical  Law,  which 
in  cases  matrimonial  we  understand  is  the  law  of 
oiu-  nation  ;  and  that  persons  intermarrying  in  these 
prohibited  degrees,  are  not  only  punishable  by  tlie 
law  s  of  the  country,  but  ought  to  sufft'r  the  cen- 
sures of  the  church:  And  farther  judge,  though  the 
present  case  is  not  a  direct  violation  of  the  express 
w  ords  of  the  Levitical  Law,  yet  as  it  is  contrary  to 
the  custom  of  Protestant  nations  in  general,  and  an 


CHAP.  III.]  CASES  OF  MARRIAGE.  103 

evidence  of  great  untenderness ;  and  so  opposite  to 
such  precepts  of  the  Gospel  as  require  Christians 
to  avoid  things  of  ill  report,  and  all  appearance  of 
evil,  and  what  is  offensive  to  the  church  ;  that  the 
persons  referred  to  in  this  instance  ought  to  be  re- 
buked by  the  Church  Session,  and  others  warned 
against  such  offensive  conduct:  and  in  case  these 
persons  submit  to  such  rebuke,  and  are  in  other  re- 
spects regular  professors,  that  they  be  not  debarred 
of  Christian  privileges.  And  Mr.  Hunter  is  or- 
dered to  read  this  minute  publickly  in  his  congre- 
gation, where  the  persons  live  referred  to  in  the 
above  case.     Page  223. 

Sect,  3.  A  question  relative  to  a  man  married 
to  his  deceased  tvife's  half  brother- s  daughter,  an- 
swered by  the  Assembly,  in  1797. 

A  reference  from  the  Synod  of  Yirginia  was  re- 
ceived, through  the  Committee  of  Overtures,  re- 
specting a  certain  C M ,  who  had  married 

his  former  wife's  half  brother's  daughter,  request- 
ing the  opinion  of  the  Assembly,  whether  such  per- 
sons maybe  admitted  to  Church  privileges.  Where- 
upon resolved,  that,  though  the  Assembly  would 
wish  to  discountenance  imprudent  marriages,  or 
such  as  tend  in  any  ,way  to  give  uneasiness  to  seri- 
ous persons,  yet  it  is  their  opinion,  that  the  marri- 
age referred  to  is  not  of  such  a  nature  as  to  render 
it  necessary  to  exclude  the  parties  from  the  privile- 
ges of  the  church.     Vol.  I.  p.  148. 

Sect.  4.  A  question  relating  to  a  man  married 
to  his  deceased  wife^s  sister^s  daughter,  answered, 
in  1799. 


104  THE   SESSIONS.  [PART  n  . 

The  committee  also  reported  to  the  Assembly, 
from  the  records  of  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas,  a 

reference   ••on  the  petition  of  J L ,  who 

has  married  his  deceased  wife's  sister's  daughter ; 
prayinii;  a  reconsideration  of  his  case,  which  was 
tried  and  issued  against  him,  nine  years  ago,  in  the 
Synod  of  the  Carolinas.''  After  some  deliberation 
had  on  this  business,  it  was  deferred  for  further  con- 
sideration till  to-morrow  morning. 

The  Assembly  proceeded  to  the  further  conside- 
ration of  the  reference  from  the  Synod  of  the  Caro- 
linas. — After  mature  deliberation,  it  was  resolved, 
that  the  case  of  J L ,  referred  for  the  de- 
cision of  the  Greneral  Assembly,  by  the  Synod  of 
the  Carolinas,  be  remitted  to  the  said  Synod  ;  and 
that  they  be  directed  to  review  the  case  ;  and 
if  they  shall  judge  it  to  be  consistent  with  the  ex- 
isting laws  of  the  state,  and  the  peace  of  the  church, 
they  may  admit  the  persons  alluded  to,  to  its  pri\'i- 
leges.— Vol.  I.  p.  198. 

Sect.  5.  The  case  of  a  man  married  to  his 
deceased  wife^s  sister^s  daughter,  determined,  in 
1802. 

The  Session  of  the  Church  of  Westminster,  in 
Jefi'erson  County,  state  of  Tennessee,  having  re- 
quested the  direction  of  this  Assembly  in  a  case 
of  discipline  :  viz.  Whether  a  man  and  his  wife 
were  admissible  to  Church  privileges  who  had 
been  related  to  each  other  as  uncle  and  neice  ;  that 
is  to  say,  the  woman  being  sister's  daughter  to  the 
man's  former  wife  :  Whereupon  the  Assembly  i2e- 
solved,  That  the  decision  given,  by  the  General  As- 


CHAP.  III.]  GASfiS  OF  xMARRIAGE.  105 

sembly^  in  the  year  1797,  in  a  case  someAvhat 
resembling  the  present,  may  be  adopted  on  this 
occasion  : — 

The  decision  referred  to  is  as  follows : — See 
Sect.  3.  of  this  Chapter.— Yol.  I.  p.  295. 

Sect,  6.  A  similar  case  brought  before  the  As- 
sembly and  decided^  in  1804. 

Tlie  Assembly,  agreeably  to  the  order  of  the 
day,  proceeded  to  consider  the  reference  from  the 
Synod  of  Pittsburgh,  relating  to  a  certain  mar- 
riage.     It  appeared   that    a   Mr.    J G 

had  been  censured  as  guilty  of  incest,  for  having 
married  a  woman,  who  was  sister's  daughter  to 
his  former  wife ;  and  had  brought  the  cause  by 
appeal  to  the  Synod  of  Pittsburgh.  The  Synod, 
conceiving  that  the  cause  involved  a  high  question 
of  discipline,  chose  to  refer  it  to  the  General  As- 
sembly for  their  decision. 

The  Assembly  having  discussed  the  subject  at 
some  length,  a  motion  was  made  and  seconded, 
that  the  decision  given  by  the  General  Assembly 
in  the  year  1802,  in  a  case  precisely  similar,  be 
adopted  as  the  decision  on  the  present  occasion. 
After  some  consideration  a  motion  was  made 
and  carried,  to  postpone  the  motion  before  the 
house,  in  order  to  introduce  the  following  as  a  sub- 
stitute :  viz. 

The  Assembly,  having  given  repeated  decisions 
on  similar  cases,  cannot  advise  to  annul  such 
marriages,  or  to  pronounce  them  to  such  a  de- 


106  THE    SESSIONS.  [PART    IV. 

gree  unlawful,  as  that  the  parties,  if  otherwise 
worthy,  should  be  debarred  from  the  privileges 
of  the  Church.  But  as  great  diversity  of  opinion 
seems  to  exist  on  such  questions  in  different  parts 
of  the  church,  so  that  no  absolute  rule  can  be  en- 
joined with  regard  to  them,  that  shall  be  univer- 
sally binding,  and  consistent  with  the  peace  of 
the  church ;  and  as  the  cases  in  question  are  es- 
teemed to  be  doubtful ;  the  Assembly  is  constrained 
to  leave  it  to  the  discretion  of  the  inferior  judi- 
catories under  their  care,  to  act  according  to  their 
own  best  lights,  and  the  circumstances  in  which 
they  find  themselves  placed. 

A  question  w^as  then  taken  to  agree  to  the  sub- 
stitute and  determine  in  the  affirmative. — Vol.  II. 
p.  46  and  47. 


For  other  cases  of  Maniages,  see  the  Records 
of  Synod,  p.  26,  29,  45,  344 ;  and  the  Records 
of  the  Assembly,  Vol.  11.  p.  18, 122. 


CHAP.  IV.]  RECOMMENDATIONS,  &C.  107 


CHAPTER  IV. 


OF  SUNDRY  RECOMMENDATIONS  AND  DIREC- 
TIONS. 


Sect.  1.  Persons  concerned  in  secular  occupa- 
tions on  the  Lord^s  day  are  not  to  be  admitted  to  the 
Lord^s  supper. 

A.N  appeal  by  Mr.  W.  Post- master  in  Washington, 
Pennsylvania^  from  a  decision  of  the  Synod  of  Pitts- 
burgh, by  which  it  is  determined  that  Mr.  W.  offi- 
ciating as  Post-master  on  the  Sabbath  day  in  ex- 
isting circumstances  is  a  sufficient  reason  to  ex- 
clude him  from  the  special  privileges  of  the  church, 
was  overtured  and  read.  On  motion,  resolved^ 
that  the  above  decision  of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburgh 
be  affirmed;  and  it  hereby  is  affirmed. — 1810.  Vol. 
II.  p.  340. 

Sect.  2.  •A  similar  decision  in  1819. 

An  overture  relative  to  the  receiving  of  a  per- 
son as  a  member  of  the  church,  who  is  proprietor 
in  a  line  of  stages  which  carries  the  mail  and  runs 
on  the  Sabbath,  was  read  and  committed  to  — , 


108  THE  SESSIONS.  PART  IV. 

to  report  to  the  Assembly  the  several  circunistaiices 
connected  with  the  case. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  above 
overture  reported ;  and  their  report  being  read,  the 
consideration  of  it  was  postponed  to  take  up  the  fol- 
lowing substitute,  which,  after  considerable  dis- 
cussion, was  adopted  :  viz. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  decided  opinion  of  this 
Assembly,  that  all  attention  to  worldly  concerns 
on  the  Lord's  day,  farther  than  the  works  of  neces- 
sity and  mercy  demand,  is  inconsistent,  both  with 
the  letter  and  spirit  of  the  fourth  commandment ; 
and,  consequently,  all  engagements  in  regard  to 
secular  occupations,  on  the  Lord's  day,  with  a 
view  to  secure  worldly  advantages,  are  to  be  con- 
sidered inconsistent  with  christian  character ;  and 
that  those  who  are  concerned  in  such  engagements 
ought  not  to  be  admitted  into  the  communion  of  the 
church,  while  they  continue  in  the  same. — Vol. 
IV.     1919. 


Sect,  3.     Children  to  be  Catechised. 
See  Part  III.  Chap.  11.  Sect.  15,  16, 

Sect.  4.     Bible  Classes  recommended  in  1816, 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  Over- 
ture from  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  New  Jer- 
sey, on  forming  classes  of  young  people,  for  study- 
ing and  reciting  the  Bible,  reported ;  and  their  re- 
port, being  read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is 
as  follows :  viz, — 

That  they  consider  this  subject  of  great  impor- 


CHAP.  I\ .]  RECOMMENDATIONS,  &C.  109 

taiicc,  and  deserving  the  attention  and  earnest  re- 
commendation of  the  Assembly  :  therefore, 

Resolved,  1st.  That  it  be  recommended,  and  it 
hereby  is  recommended  earnestly,  to  the  ministers 
and  sessions,  which  are  in  connection  with  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly,  to  pay  a  special  attention  to  this 
subject,  and  provide  without  delay  for  the  stated 
instruction  of  the  children  and  youth  in  the  Sa- 
cred Scriptures,  within  their  respective  congrega- 
tions. 

2d.  That  although  the  particular  manner  of  in- 
struction and  recitation  in  the  congregations,  ought 
to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  their  ministers  and  ses- 
sions respectively,  yet  as  some  degree  of  uniformity 
is  desirable  in  a  business  of  so  much  magnitude,  it 
is  recommended,  as  the  most  effectual  means  of  pro- 
moting the  knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  that, 
in  all  our  churches,  classes  be  formed  of  the  youth 
to  recite  the  Scriptures  in  regular  order  ;  that  the 
recitations,  if  convenient,  be  as  often  as  once  a  week, 
and  from  two  to  five  chapters  appointed  for  each 
recitation ;  that  the  youth  may  be  examined  on  : 

1st.  The  history  of  the  world,  but  more  espe- 
cially of  the  Cliurch  of  God,  and  of  the  heathen 
nations  who  were  God's  agents  in  accomplishing  his 
purposes  towards  his  Church. 

2nd.  Persons  noted  for  their  piety  or  ungodli- 
ness, and  the  effects  of  their  example  in  promoting 
or  injuring  the  best  interests  of  mankind. 

3d.  Doctrines  and  precepts,  or  ^^  what  man  is  to 
believe  concerning  God,  and  what  duty  God  re- 
quires of  man." 

4th.  Positive  ordinances,  or  the  directions  which 
K 


liQ  THE    SESSIONS.  [PART  IV.     | 

Gotl  has  given  as  the  way  in  which  he  is  to  be  wor- 
shipped acceptably. 

5th.  The  particular  features  of  character  of 
which  the  Spirit  of  God  has  given  notice,  both  in 
wicked  and  good  persons  ;  in  the  last  particularly 
regarding  those  who  were  types  of  Christ,  and  in 
what  the  typical  resemblance  consisted. 

6th.  The  gradual  increase  from  time  to  time  of 
information  concerning  the  doctrines  contained  in 
the  scriptures  ;  noting  the  admirable  adaptation  of 
every  new  revelation  of  doctrine  to  the  increased 
maturity  of  the  church.  The  nature  of  God^s  law, 
its  immutability,  as  constituting  an  everlasting  rule 
of  right  and  v^Tong,  the  full  and  perfect  illustration 
of  its  precepts  given  by  Christ. 

7th.  The  change  which  God  has  made  from 
time  to  time  in  the  positive  ordinances,  together 
with  the  reasons  of  that  change.  The  difference 
between  the  moral  law  and  those  laws  which  are 
positive. 

8th.  The  illustration  of  the  divine  perfections 
in  the  history,  biography,  doctrines  and  precepts, 
together  with  the  positive  ordinances  of  the  scrip- 
tures. 

9th.  The  practical  lessons  to  regulate  our  con- 
duct in  the  various  relations  of  life. 

On  all  these  particulars  the  meaning  of  the  words 
used  in  scripture  must  be  ascertained,  that  thus  we 
may  understand  what  we  read. 

Resolvedf  3d.  That  the  Presbyteries,  under  the 
care  of  the  Assembly,  be  directed  to  take  order  on 
this  subject ;  and  they  are  hereby  informed,  that 
this  is  not  to  come  in  the  place  of  learning  the  cate- 


CHAP.  IV.]  RECOMMENDATIONS,  &C,  111 

chisms  of  our  church,  but  be  added  to  it,  as  an  im- 
portant branch  of  religious  education, 


Sect.  5.  The  assembling  of  Baptized  children 
recommended  in  1818. 

Resolved^  That  the  General  Assembly  recom- 
mend, and  they  do  hereby  recommend,  to  the  Pas- 
tors and  Sessions  of  the  different  churches  under 
their  care,  to  assemble,  as  often  as  they  may  deem 
necessary  during  the  year,  the  baptized  children, 
with  their  parents,  to  recommend  said  children,  in 
prayer,  to  God,  explain  to  them  the  nature  and  ob- 
ligations of  their  baptism,  and  the  relation  which 
they  sustain  to  the  Church. 


Sect.  6.  Moral  Societies  recommended  by  the 
Sijnody  in  1766. 

The  Synod  recommend  that  every  congregtion 
endeavour  to  form  a  Society  or  Societies  for  the 
Reformation  of  Manners  within  their  respective 
bounds. — Page.   110. 


Sect.  7.  Care  of  the  poor  recommended  by  the 
Synody  in  1788. 

The  Synod,  also,  earnestly  recommend  to  every 
congregation  belonging  to  their  body,  to  take  spe- 
cial care  of  their  poor,  or  distressed  widows  and 
orphans,  and  to  administer  to  them  all  proper  re- 
lief and  assistance. 


112  THE    SESSIONS.  [PART  IV, 

Sect.S,  The  jivevention  of  Law -suits  recommend- 
ed by  the  Synod,  in  1788. 

The  Syiiod,  taking  into  their  serious  considera- 
tion the  many  and  great  injuries  arising  to  society, 
by  the  members  thereof,  contrary  to  the  spirit  and 
express  command  of  our  holy  religion^  going  to 
law  Avith  each  other,  and  carrying  on  litigious  suits : 
Do,  tlierefore,  earnestly  recommend  it  to  every  con- 
gregation under  their  care,  faithfully  to  endeavour, 
in  such  way  as  may  appear  most  expedient,  to  pre- 
vent law- suits,  among  their  members,  by  having  dif- 
ferences of  a  civil  nature  accommodated  by  arbitra- 
tion, or  by  an  amicable  suit,  when  the  matters  can- 
not he  otherwise  settled.  And  the  Synod  earnestly 
recommend  to  all  their  Presbyteries,  to  use  their 
utmost  endeavours  to  secure  the  success  of  so  use- 
ful a  measure ;  w  hereby  many  evils  may  be  pre- 
vented, and  various  great  advantages  procured. 

Sect.  9.  Care  in  selecting  school-masters  re- 
commended by  the  Synod,  in  1788. 

The  Synod  recommend,  that  special  care  be  ta- 
ken with  respect  to  the  principles  and  characters  of 
school- masters;  that  they  teach  the  Westminster 
Catechism  and  Psalmody ;  and  that  tlie  Ministers, 
Church  Sessions,  and  Deacons,  or  Committees, 
where  they  consistently  can,  visit  the  schools,  and 
see  that  these  things  are  done  :  And  where  schools 
are  composed  of  different  denominations,  that  they 
invite  proper  persons  of  said  denominations  to  join 
with  them.  And  the  respective  Presbyteries  are 
refjuired  to  pay  special  attention  to  these  matters. 


CHAP.  IV.]  RECOMMENDATIONS^  &C.  113 

and  to  use  their  best  endeavours  to  have  them  car- 
ried into  execution.* 


Sect.  10.  Measures  to  •prevent  intemperance 
recommended^  in  1812. 

The  committee  i^o  which  was  referred  the  report 
of  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly 
to  devise  measures^  Avhich  may  have  an  iniluence 
in  preventing  the  mischiefs  arising  from  the  intem- 
perate use  of  spirituous  liquors^  reported ;  and  the 
report,  being  read,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  viz. 

Resolved,  1st.  That  it  be  recommended  to  all 
the  ministers  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  to  deliver  public  discourses,  as  often 
as  circumstances  may  render  it  expedient,  on  the 
sin  and  mischiefs  of  intemperate  drinking;  in  which, 
as  well  as  on  other  suitable  occasions,  both  public 
and  private,  it  will  be  proper,  pointedly  and 
solemnly,  to  warn  their  hearers,  and  especially 
members  of  the  church,  not  only  against  actual 
intemperance,  but  against  all  those  habits  and  in- 
dulgencies  which  may  have  a  tendency  to  pro- 
duce it. 

2d.  That  it  be  enjoined  on  all  Church- Sessions, 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Geueral  Assembly,  that 
they  exercise  a  special  vigilance  and  care  over  the 
conduct  of  all  persons  in  the  communion  of  their 
respective  churches,  with  regard  to  this  sin ;  and 


*  This  and  the  two  preceding  Sections  were  published  by  t       '•of 
Assembly,  in  connexion  with  their  printed  Extracts. 

K  2 


114  THE    SESSIONS.  [PART  IV. 

that  they  sedulously  endeavour,  by  private  warn- 
ing and  remonstrance,  and  by  such  public  censures 
as  different  cases  may  require,  to  purge  the  church 
of  a  sin  so  enormous  in  its  mischiefs,  and  so  dis- 
graceful to  the  christian  name. 

3d.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  ministers  and 
other  officers  and  members  of  our  church,  that  they 
exert  themselves  to  diffuse,  as  extensively  as  pos- 
sible, among  their  congregations  and  the  communi- 
ty at  large,  such  addresses,  sermons,  tracts  or  other 
printed  compositions  on  this  subject,  as  may  have 
a  tendency  to  produce  a  suitable  impression  against 
the  use  of  ardent  spirits^  and  to  recommend  sobrie- 
ty and  temperance. 

4th.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  officers  and 
members  of  our  church,  to  take  such  measures  as 
may  be  judged  proper  and  effectual,  for  reducing 
the  number  of  taverns  and  other  places  of  vending 
liquors  by  small  measure,  in  all  those  parts  of  our 
country,  in  wliich  either  the  excessive  number,  or 
tlie  improper  character  of  such  places,  renders  them 
a  public  nuisance. 

It  is  believed,  that  the  evils  arising  from  these 
sources  are  incalculably  great,  and  that,  by  prudent 
management,  they  admit,  under  Providence^  of  very 
considerable  diminution. 


Sect.  11.  Cases  in  which  the  testimony  of  a 
man  and  his  icife  may  he  taken  in  matters  that  con- 
cern them. 

The  Assembly  went  into  the  consideration  of  the 
case  reported  by  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio,   which 


CHAP.  IV.]  RECOMMEND ATIOXS,  &C.  115 

was  in  the  following  terms  :  "  X  certain  married 
woman  charges  an  unmarried  man  with  immodest 
conversation  and  conduct  in  attempts  upon  her  chas- 
tity, of  which  her  husband  and  another,  or  indiffer- 
ent, person  were  at  a  certain  time  witnesses — 
Whereas  our  constitution  declares  that  a  person 
accused  shall  not  be  convicted  by  a  single  witness, 
can  the  said  woman  and  her  husband  be  admitted 
Avitnesses  in  the  above  case?*'  To  the  above  question 
the  Assembly  answered,  that,  in  all  such  cases  as 
that  submitted  by  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  it  is  a 
principle  that  both  the  husband  and  wife  are  to  be 
admitted  to  give  testimony.  But  in  every  particular 
case  as  it  occurs,  the  judicature  before  whom  it  is 
tried,  ought,  in  order  to  guard  against  collusion, 
to  pay  a  very  scrupulous  regard  to  all  the  circum- 
stances attending  it,  and  especially  to  the  charac- 
ters of  those  who  are  admitted  as  evidences,  so 
that  on  the  one  hand  the  necessity  of  the  case  may 
be  consulted,  and  on  the  other  that  no  injury  may 
result  to  an  innocent  person. — 1797.  Vol.  I.  p. 
149,  150. 

Sect,  12.   Testimony  taken  before  a  Session  siif- 
ficient  in  references. 

The  following  question,  "  Whether  testimony  ta- 
ken before  a  session,  and  sent  up  to  the  Presbytery, 
under  the  signature  of  the  Moderator  and  Clerk, 
will  not  be  sufficient  in  references,  as  well  as  ap- 
peals, to  render  the  case  thus  referred,  both  or- 
derly and  cognizable  by  the  Presbytery,''  was 
answered  in  the  affirmative. — 1797.  Vol.  I.  p. 
149. 


116  THE    SESSIONS.  [PART  IV 


Sect  13.     Mule  relating  to  certificates. 

That  no  judicatory  or  private  member  shall  cer- 
tify any  person's  character  as  good,  for  a  space  of 
time  J  without  mentioning  whether  he  has  been  un- 
der process  of  scandal,  during  that  time,  and  the  is- 
*^ue  of  it.— Vol.  I.  p.  41. 


See  the  Rules  relative  to  Reports,  and  the  Form 
for  a  Report  from  a  Church  to  the  Presbytery,  in 
Part  III.  Chap.  III.  Sect.  2. 

See  Part  XIII.  Chap.  I.  for  advice  in  regard  to 
-lavery. 

See  Part  XIII.  Chap.  I.  for  Avhat  relates  to 
Psalmody. 


PART   V 


OF  THE 


AND 

FORM  OF  CHURCH  GOVERJ^MEJ^TT. 


CHAPTER  I. 

OF  THE  ACTS  OF  THE  LATE  SYNOD  OF  NEW 
YORK  AND  PHILADELPHIA. 


Sect.  1.  Three  ^Irtides  selected  from  the  plan 
of  union  adopted  by  the  Synod  of  JS^w  York  and 
Philadelphia,  in  1758. 

X  HE  Synod  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Synod  of 
New  York  appointed  each,  in  1757,  a  commission, 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  plan  of  union.  May 
22,  1758,  the  two  Commissions  met  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  agreed  on  a  plan;  which  was  immediately 
communicated  to  the  two  Synods  then  in  session. 
The  two  Synods^  having  in  their  separate  capacity 


118  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &€.  [PART  V. 

approved  the  plan,  convened  together,  under  the 
name  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia, and  having  read  the  plan  unanimously  ap- 
proved of  it. 

There  were  present  177  memhers. — Page  1. 

I.  Both  Synods,  having  always  approved  and 
received  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  lar- 
ger and  shorter  Catechisms,  as  an  orthodox  and 
excellent  system  of  Christian  doctrine,  founded  on 
the  word  of  God;  we  do  still  receive  the  same,  as 
the  Confession  of  our  Faith,  and  also  the  Plan  Wor- 
ship, Government,  and  Discipline,  contained  in 
the  Wesminster  Directory ;  strictly  enjoining  it  on 
all  our  members  and  probationers  for  the  ministry, 
that  they  preach  and  teach  according  to  the  Form 
of  sound  words  in  said  Confession  and  Catechisms^ 
and  avoid  and  oj^pose  all  errors  contrary  thereto, 
— Page  3. 

il.  That  when  any  matter  is  determined  by  a 
major  vote,  every  member  shall  either  actively  con- 
cur with,  or  passively  submit  to,  such  determina- 
tion; or,  if  his  conscience  permit  him  to  do  neither, 
he  shall  be  at  sufficient  liberty  modestly  to  reason 
and  remonstrate,  and  peaceably  withdraw  from  our 
communion,  without  attempting  to  make  any  schism; 
provided  always,  that  this  shall  be  understood  to 
extend  only  to  such  determinations,  as  the  body 
shall  judge  indispensable  in  doctrine  or  Presbyte- 
rian Government. — Page  3. 

VI.  That  no  Presbytery  shall  licence,  or  ordain 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  any  candidate,  until  he 
give  them  competent  satisfaction  as  to  his  learning. 


CHAP.  I.]   ACTS  OF  THE  LATE  SYNOD,  &C.      119 

and  experimental  acquaintance  with  religion,  and 
skill  in  divinity  and  cases  of  conscience,  and  de- 
clare liis  acceptance  of  the  Westminster  Confes- 
sion of  Faith,  and  Catechisms,  as  the  Confession  of 
his  Faith,  and  promise  subjection  to  the  Presbyte- 
rian Plan  of  Grovernment  in  the  Westminster  Di- 
rectory.—Page  4. 

Sect,  2.  TJie  foUowinj^  Extracts  form  apart 
of  the  minutes  of  a  convention  composed  of  commit- 
tees from  the  Sijnod  ofJS\w  York  and  Philadelphia, 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Synod,  and  of  the  Associate 
Reformed  Synod,* 

ARTICLE    I. 

The  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia 
-.Q^  adopt,  according  to  the  known  and  esta- 
blished meaning  of  the  terms,  the  Westmin- 
ster Confession  of  Faitii  as  the  Confession  of  their 
Faith  ;  save  that  every  candidate  for  the  gospel  mi- 
nistry is  permitted  to  except  against  so  much  of 
the  twenty  third  chapter  as  gives  authority  to  the 
civil  magistrate  in  matters  of  religion. 

The  Presbyterian  church  in  America  considers 
the  Church  of  Christ  as  a  spiritual  society,  entirely 
distinct  from  the  civil  government ;  and  having  a 
right  to  regulate  their  own  ecclesiastical  policy  in- 
dependently of  the  interposition  of  the  magistrate. 
—Page.  399. 


*  Drs,  John  WiMierspoon,  John  Rodorers,  Alexander  M'Whorter, 
Samuel  Smith,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Nathan  Ker  and  John  Woodhuil,  were 
the  committee  from  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phiiadelpiua. 


120  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.  [PAllT  V. 

To  the  2iid  inquiry,  whether  the  corresponding 
Synods,  in  order  to  lay  the  foundation  of  entire  con- 
fidence in  each  other,  were  willing  to  give  solemn 
and  mutual  assurances  of  their  vigilance  and  fidelity 
in  requiring  of  their  ecclesiastical  offices,  an  expli- 
cit and  unequivocal  assent  to  their  present  formulas 
or  standards  of  discipline  and  faith  ;  and  will  take 
such  measures  as  to  them  respectively  shall  seem 
most  reasonable  and  effectual  to  secure  the  same  fi- 
delity and  orthodoxy  in  all  time  to  come  :  The 
answer  was  unanimously  given  in  the  affirmative. 
—Page  400  of  the  Synod  Book. 

Sect.  3.  •Measures  j^'^^J^a^^c^tory  to  the  adoption 
of  the  Constitution  of  our  Church, 

On  motion,  Ordered,  That  Dr.  Witherspoon, 
.^Q-  Dr.  Rodgers,  Mr.  Robert  Smith,  Dr.  Alli- 
^^^^'  son.  Dr.  Smith,  Mr.  Woodhull,  Mr.  Cooper, 
Mr.  Latta,  and  Mr.  Duffield,  with  the  Moderator, 
be  a  committee  to  take  into  consideration,  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  other  Pro- 
testant Churches :  and  agreeably  to  the  general  prin- 
ciples of  Presbyterian  Government,  compile  a  sys- 
tem of  general  rules  for  the  government  of  the  Sy- 
nod, and  the  several  Presbyteries  under  their  in- 
spection, and  the  people  in  their  communion ;  and 
to  make  a  report  of  their  proceeding  herein  at  the 
next  meeting  of  Synod. — Page  388. 

On  motion  Resolved^  That  the  book  of  discipline 
.  Hyr^o     and  government  be  recommitted  to  a  com- 
mittee to  meet  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
on  the  2d  Tuesday  of  September  next,  who  shall 


CHAP.  I.]     ACTS  OF  THE  LATE  SYNOD.        121 

have  powers  to  digest  siicli  a  system  as  they  shall 
think  to  be  accommodated  to  the  state  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  America;  that  they  shall  pro- 
cure 300  copies  to  be  printed  and  distributed  to  the 
several  Presbyteries  in  proportion  to  the  number  of 
their  members,  under  the  engagement  of  this  Sy- 
nod to  have  the  expense  of  printing  and  distribu- 
tion reimbursed  to  the  committee,  at  their  next 
meeting :  and  every  Presbytery  is  hereby  required 
to  report  in  writing  to  the  Synod,  at  their  next 
meeting,  their  observations  on  the  said  book  of  go- 
vernment and  discipline. 

The  committee  appointed  to  attend  to  the  above 
business,  were  Drs.  Witherspoon,  M^Whorter, 
Rogers,  Sproat,  Duifield,  Allison,  and  Ewing, 
Mr.  Matthew  Wilson,  Dr.  Smith,  with  Isaac  Snow- 
den,  Esq.  Mr.  Robert  Taggart,  and  Mr.  John  Pin- 
kerton.  Elders. — Page  409. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  draught 
^Q^     of  a  Plan  of  Grovernmeut  and  Discipline  re- 
ported, that  they  had,  agreeably  to  order, 
prepared  a  draught,  and  distributed  copies  to  the 
respective  Presbyteries. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  Presb^ieries  bring  in 
their  observations  on  the  said  draught  in  the  after- 
noon.— Page  422. 

The  S;yTiod,  having  gone  through  the  considera- 
tion of  the  draught  of  a  Plan  of  Government  a  nd 
Discipline,  Dr.  Rodgers,  Dr.  M^Whorter,  Mr. 
Miller,  and  Mr.  Wilson,  Jr.  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  have  a  thousand  copies  thereof  printed  as 
now  amended,  and  to  distribute  them  among  the 

L 


122  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.         [PART  V. 

Presbyteries  for  their  consideration,  and  the  con- 
sideration of  tlte  churches  under  their  care. 

The  Synod  took  into  consideration  the  last  pa- 
ragraph of  the  twentieth  Chapter  of  the  Westmin- 
ster Confession  of  Faith,  the  third  paragraph  of 
the  twenty-third  Chapter,  and  the  first  paragraph 
of  the  thirty -first  chapter ;  and  having  made  some 
alterations,  agreed  that  the  said  paragraphs,  as 
now  altered,  be  printed  for  consideration,  together 
with  the  draught  of  a  Plan  of  Government  and 
Discipline.  The  Synod  also  appointed  the  above 
named  committee  to  revise  the  Westminster  Direc- 
tory for  Public  Worship ;  and  to  have  it,  when 
thus  revised,  printed,  together  with  the  draught, 
for  consideration.  And  the  Synod  agreed,  that 
w  hen  the  above  proposed  alterations  in  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  shall  have  been  finally  deter- 
mined on  by  tlie  Body,  and  tlie  directory  shall  have 
been  revised  as  above  directed,  and  adopted  by  the 
Synod ;  the  said  Confession  thus  altered,  and  Di- 
rectory thus  revised  and  adopted,  shall  be  styled, 
The  Confession  of  Faith,  and  Directory 
FOR  Public  Worship,  of  the  Presbyterian- 
Church  IN  THE  United  States  of  America. — 
Page  434. 

Sect,    4.      Tlie   Constitution   of  our    Church 
adopted. 

The  Synod,  having  fully  considered  tlie  draught 
7QQ     of  the  Form  of  Government  and  Discipline, 
'    did,  on  a  review  of  the  whole,  and  hereby 
do,  ratify  and  adopt  the  same,  as  now  altered,  and 
amended,  as  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  America  ;  and  order  the  same 


CHAP.  I.]  ACTS  OF  THE  LATE  SYNOD.  123 

to  be  considered  and  strictly  observed,  as  the  Rule 
of  their  Proceedings,  by  all  the  inferior  Judicato- 
ries belonging  to  the  Body. — And  they  order  that 
a  correct  copy  be  printed  ;  and  that  the  Westmin- 
ster Confession  of  Faith,  as  now  altered,  be  printed, 
in  full,  along  with  it ;  as  making  a  part  of  the  Cox- 

STITUTIOX. 

Resolved^  That  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of 
the  above  ratification  by  the  Synod  is,  that  the 
Form  of  Government  and  Discipline,  and  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  as  now  ratified,  is  to  continue  to 
be  our  Constitution,  and  the  Confession  of  our 
Faith  and  Practice  unalterably,  unless  two-thirds 
of  the  Presbyteries  under  the  care  of  the  General 
Assembly  shall  propose  alterations,  or  amendments, 
and  such  alterations,  or  amendments,  shall  be  agi-eed 
to  and  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly. 

Ordered,  to  proceed  in  considering  the  draught 
of  the  Directory,  and  made  considerable  progress. 

Dr.  Witherspoon,  Dr.  Smith,  and  the  Modera- 
tor, were  appointed  a  committee,  to  revise  the  Cbap- 
ter  of  the  draught  of  the  Directory,  respecting  the 
mode  of  inflicting  Church  censures  ;  and  to  lay  it, 
as  by  them  revised,  before  the  General  Assembly, 
at  their  first  meeting  :  to  be  by  them  considered, 
and  finally  enacted. — Page  450,  451. 

The  Synotl,  having  now  revised  and  corrected 
the  draught  of  a  Directory  for  Avorship,  did  approve 
and  ratify  the  same,  and  do  hereby  appoint  the 
said  Directory,  as  now  amended,  to  be  the  Direc- 
tory for  the  worship  of  God,  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America.     They 


VZ4  eO.NIESSIOX  OF  FAITH,  &C.  [PAIIT  V- 

also  took  into  coiisideration  the  Westminster  larger 
and  shorter  Catecliisms;  and  having  made  a  small 
amendment  of  the  larger,  did  approve,  and  do 
hereby  approve  and  ratify,  the  said  Catechisms,  as 
jiow  agreed  on,  as  the  Catechisms  of  the  Presby- 
terian Chnrch,  in  the  said  United  States.  And  the 
Synod  order  that  the  said  Directory  and  Cate- 
chisms be  printed,  and  bound  up  in  the  same  vo- 
lume with  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  the  Form 
of  Government  and  Discipline  :  and  that  the  whole 
be  considered  as  tlie  standard  of  our  Doctrine,  Go- 
vernment, Discipline,  and  Worship,  agreeably  to 
the  resolutions  of  the  Synod,  at  their  present  ses- 
sions. 

Ordered^  That  Dr.  Duffield,  Mr.  Armstrong,  and 
Mr.  Green,  be  a  committee  to  superintend  the  print- 
ing and  publishing  of  the  above  said  Confession  of 
Faith  and  Catechisms,  with  the  Form  of  Govern- 
ment and  Discipline,  and  the  Directory  for  the 
worship  of  God,  as  now  adopted  and  ratified  by 
the  Synod,  as  the  Constitution  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  in  the  United  States  of 
America;  and  that  they  divide  the  several  parts 
into  chapters  ai^d  sections,  properly  numbered.— 
Page  451,  452. 


CHAP.  II.]  ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  125 


CHAPTER  II. 


OF  THE  ACTS  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 


Sect.  1.     ScrijJture  proofs  in   support  of  the 
Confession  of  Faith,  §*c.  selected  in  1794. 

A  HE  committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  scrip- 
ture-proofs in  support  of  the  doctrines  of  the  confes- 
sion of  faith,  cateshisms,  &c.  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  submitted  tlieir  report ;  which  was  in  part 
read,  examined  and  approved  as  a  specimen  of  the 
work.  Whereupon,  Dr.  Green,  and  Messrs.  John 
B.  Smith,  James  Boyd,  William  M.  Tennant,  Na- 
thaniel Irvin  and  Andrew  Hunter,  were  appointed  a 
committee,  to  compare  the  proofs  prepared  and  now 
reported  by  said  committee  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, with  the  proofs  annexed  to  the  Westminster 
Confession  of  Faith,  Catechisms  and  Directory ; 
to  revise  the  whole,  prepare  it  for  the  press,  to 
agree  with  a  printer  for  its  publication,  and  to  su- 
perintend the  printing  and  vending  of  the  same. 
And  the  said  committee  were  further  instructed 
to  secure  the  copy-right  of  said  book,  according 
to  a  law  of  the  United  States  in  such  caise  pro= 
vided. 

L2 


126  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.  [PART  V. 

Sect.  2.  Resolutions  in  regard  to  the  scinpture 
proofs,  and  notes,  by  the  ^Issemhly,  in  1816. 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  an  inquiry 
proposed  to  the  Assembly  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Philadelphia,  relative  to  the  notes  found  in  the 
book  containing  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  re- 
ported; and  their  report  being  amended,  was  adopt- 
ed, and  is  as  follows :  viz. 

That  the  book  referred  to  was  first  published 
with  nothing  but  the  simple  text,  without  any 
Scripture  proofs,  or  any  notes  of  any  description 
whatsoever.  This  is  evident,  not  only  from  the 
minutes  of  the  G^eneral  Assembly,  but  from  the 
numerous  copies  of  this  first  edition  of  the  standards 
of  our  church,  which  are  now  in  existence.  It  is 
also  equally  evident  fiom  examining  the  records  of 
the  General  Assembly,  that  not  a  single  note  in  the 
book  has  been  added  to,  or  made  a  part  of,  the 
Constitution  of  the  Church  since  it  was  first  form- 
ed and  pu])lislied,  in  the  manner  above  recited. 
Several  alterations  and  additions  have  been  made, 
by  referring  them  when  contemplated  to  the  Pres- 
byteries for  their  decision  thereon,  in  the  manner 
pointed  out  in  the  Constitution  itself.  But  among 
all  the  points  thus  referred,  there  is  not  found  a 
single  note  which  now  appears  in  the  book  contain- 
ing the  constitution  of  our  church.  Hence  it  fol- 
lows beyond  a  doubt,  that  these  notes  are  no  part 
of  the  constitution.  If  then  it  be  inquired,  how 
these  notes  obtained  the  place  which  they  now  oc- 
f  upy,  and  what  is  the  character  as  to  authority 
which  they  possess  ?  the  answer  is  this — When  a 
second  addition  of  the  standards  of  our  churoh 


CHAP.  II.]     ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.         127 

was  needed,  it  was  thought  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly, that  it  would  be  of  great  use  in  itself,  highly 
agreeable  to  the  members  of  our  church  generally, 
as  well  as  conformable  to  the  example  of  the 
church  of  Scotland,  from  which  we  derived  our 
origin,  if  the  Scripture  proofs  were  added,  in  sup- 
port of  the  several  parts  and  clauses  of  the  confes- 
sion of  faith,  catechisms  and  form  of  government. 
A  committee  was  accordingly  appointed  by  the  As- 
sembly, to  select  the  scripture  proofs,  and  to  pre- 
pare them  for  being  printed  with  the  second  edition 
of  the  book.  The  work  of  this  committee  was  the 
folloAving  year  referred  to  another ;  and  ultimately 
the  committee  charged  with  preparing  the  scripture 
proofs  reported  along  with  these  proofs,  the  notes 
which  now  appear  in  the  book,  and  which  were 
approved  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  directed 
to  be  printed  with  the  proofs  in  the  form  in  which 
they  now  appear.  These  notes  then  are  explana- 
tions of  some  of  the  principles  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  given  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  which 
of  course  the  General  Assembly  may  modify,  or 
altogether  exclude  at  their  pleasure ;  whereas  the 
articles  of  the  Constitution  must  govern  the  As- 
sembly themselves,  and  cannot  be  altered  or  abro- 
gated, bat  in  the  manner  pointed  out  in  the  Consti- 
tution itself. 

On  the  whole,  in  the  book  containing  the  Stand- 
ards of  our  Church,  the  text  alone  contains  the 
Constitution  of  our  Church ;  the  notes  are  an  ex- 
position of  principles  given  by  the  highest  judica- 
ture of  that  church,  of  the  same  force  while  they 
continue  with  the  other  acts  of  that  judicatui*e,  but 
subject  to  alterations,  amendments,  or  a  total  era- 
sure, as  they  shall  judge  proper. 


128  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.         [PART  V. 

liesolved,  That  as  it  belongs  to  the  General  As- 
sembly to  give  direction  in  regard  to  the  notes  ^vhic  li 
ac(  ompany  the  coiistiliition  of  which  they  are  the 
supreme  judicatory,  this  Assembly  express  it  as 
their  opinion,  that,  in  printing  future  editions  of  the 
Confession  of  this  Church,  the  parenthesis  in  the 
note,  on  this  part  of  the  form  of  government  which 
defines  a  Synod,  and  which  is  expressed  in  these 
words,  ''  since  a  Synod  is  only  a  larger  Presbyte- 
ry,'' be  omitted ;  as  well  as  the  note  connected 
with  the  scripture  proofs  in  answer  to  the  ques- 
tion in  the  larger  catechism.  What  is  forbidden 
in  the  eighth  commandment  ?  in  which  the  na- 
ture of  the  crime  of  manstealing  and  slavery  is  di- 
lated upon. 

In  regard  to  this  last  omission,  the  Assembly- 
think  proper  to  declare,  that  in  directing  it  they 
are  inlluenced  by  far  other  motives,  than  any  de- 
sire to  favour  slavery,  or  to  retard  the  extinction 
of  that  mournful  evil,  as  speedily  as  may  consist 
with  the  happiness  of  all  concerned. 

Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  resolution,  with 
the  report  of  the  committee,  sanctioned  by  the  As- 
sembly, on  the  same  subject,  be  printed,  and  con- 
nected with  the  last  edition  of  the  confession  of 
faith,  catechisms,  form  of  government,  &g.  of  this 
Church.— Vol.  III.  p.  289. 


Sect.  3.  Time  for  studying  Divinity  not  to  be 
extended. 

The  Assembly  called  for  the  reports  of  the  Pres- 
b^'leries  relative  to  a  point  on  which  their  opinion 
Avas  required  by  the  last  Assembly,  viz,  ^^ Whether 


CHAP.  II.]     ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.        129 

it  would  be  proper  to  extend  the  time  necessary  for 
young  men  to  apply  to  the  study  of  divinity  before 
they  be  taken  on  trials  to  three  years  at  least ; 
When  it  appeared  that  a  considerable  majority  of 
the  Presbyteries  had  given  it  as  their  opinion^  that 
the  time  of  study  ought  not  to  be  extended. — 1793. 
Vol.  I.  p.  71. 


Sect.  4.  The  creed  of  the  Rev.  H B , 

Goiidemned  in  1798. 

The  consideration  of  the  references  on  Mr.  Ws, 
creed,  &c.  was  resumed.  Ordered  that  Dr.  M^Whor- 
ter,  lir.  Green,  Mr.  Armstrong,  together  with  the 
Moderator  (Dr.  John  B.  Smith)  be  a  committee 
to  form  a  minute  on  the  subject  of  the  references  be- 
fore the  General  Assembly^  and  report  next  Monday 
morning. 

The  consideration  of  the  references  relative  to 
Mr.  B.,  was  resumed;  and  after  some  amendments 
made  on  the  draught  brought  in  by  the  committee, 
it  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows :  viz.  The  com- 
mittee appointed  to  take  into  consideration,  cer- 
tain references  and  inquiries  from  the  Synod 
of  the  Carolinas,  relative  to  the  publication  and  im- 
port of  a  creed,  the  preaching  of  false  doctrine,  and 
the  use  of  indecent  language  by  the  Rev.  H.  B. 
beg  leave  to  report, — That,  ha\  ing  carefully  exam- 
ined and  seriously  considered  the  subjects  submit- 
ted to  them,  they  remark  upon  the  first  article  of  the 
creed  aforesaid:  That  Mr.  B.  is  erroneous  in  mak- 
ing dlsiiiterested  benevolence  the  only  definition  of 
holiness  or  true  religion;  because  this  may  perplex 
the  minds  of  those  not  accustomed  to  abstract  specu- 


130  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.         [PART  V. 

lations,  is  questionable  in  itself,  and  may  convey 
the  idea,  that  an  absolute  God,  or  a  God  out  of 
Christ,  is  the  object  of  the  highest  aflection  to  the 
renewed  mind. 

Upon  the  2nd  article,  tliey  remark, — That  Mr. 

B has  confounded  self-love  a^  ith  selfishness^ 

in  an  abstract  speculation  calculated  to  puzzle 
plain  christians  and  lead  to  unprofitable  disputes — 
Upon  the  3d  article  they  remark, — Tliat  the  trans- 
ferring of  personal  sin  or  righteousness  has  never 
been  held  by  Calvinistic  divines,  nor  by  any  person 
in  our  church  as  far  as  is  known  to  us  ;  and  there- 
fore that  Mr.  B's.  observations  on  the  subject,  ap- 
pears to  be  either  nugatory  or  calculated  to  mis- 
lead. But,  with  regard  to  his  doctrine  of  original 
sin,  it  is  to  be  observed,  that  he  is  erroneous  in  re- 
presenting personal  corruption  as  not  derived  from 
Adam;  making  Adam's  sin  to  be  imputed  to  his 
posterity  in  consequence  of  a  corrupt  nature  already 
possessed,  and  derived  from,  we  know  not  what ; 
thus  in  effect  setting  aside  the  idea  of  Adam's  be- 
ing the  federal  head,  or  representative  of  his  de- 
scendants, and  the  whole  doctrine  of  the  covenant 
of  works. 

It  is  also  manifest,  that  Mr.  B is  gTeatly  er- 
roneous in  asserting,  that  the  formal  cause  of  a  be- 
liever's justification  is  the  imputation  of  the  fruits 
and  effects  of  Christ's  righteousness,  and  not  that 
righteousness  itself;  because  righteousness,  and 
that  alone,  is  the  formal  demand  of  tlie  law  ;  and 
consequently  the  sinner's  violation  of  the  divine 
law,  can  be  pardoned  only  in  virtue  of  tlie  Re- 
dernier's  perfect  righteousness  being  imputed  to 
him  and  reckoned  as  his.     Tt  is  also" not  true  that 


CHAP.  II.]  ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  181 

the  henefits  of  Christ's  rigliteoiisQess  are.  with  strict 
propriety,  said  to  be  imputed  at  all.  as  these  bene- 
fits floiv  to,  and  are  possessed  hy,  the  believer,  as  a 
consequence  of  his  justification,  aiid  having  an  in- 
terest in  the  infinite  merits  of  the  Saviour. 

On  article  4th  no  remark  is  necessary. 

With  regard  to  the  5th  article  it  is  to  be  remarked, 
tliat  Mr.  B.  appears  to  confound  sentiment  with  the 
mere  perception  of  truth,  whereas  it  always  par- 
takes of  the  disposition  of  the  heart,  and  consequently 
involves  in  it.  either  sin  or  holiness.  The  article  as 
stated  by  him,  contradicts  the  principle  laid  down 
in  the  introduction  to  our  form  of  Government,  and 
levels  the  important  distinction  between  truth  and 
falsehood,  so  as  to  be  liable  to  i\iQ  construction, 
that  it  is  no  matter  what  a  man  believes.  And  though 
Mr.  B may  not,  and  probably  did  not,  in- 
tend, to  insinuate  any  thing  disrespectful  to  the 
holy  scriptures,  where  he  asserts  that,  ••There  are 
wrong  sentiments  in  the  Bible  :  yet  as  his  expression 
is  liable  to  such  a  construction,  we  judge  it  highly 
censurable. 

With  re2:ard  to  the  6th  and  7th  articles,  no  re- 
mark  seems  to  be  necessary,  except  that  the  offence 
sriven  by  the  reflection  cast  on  his  brethren,  the 
Presbyterians,  in  the  7th,  has  been  sufficiently  re- 
moved by  his  candid  acknowledgment  before  the 
Synod  and  General  Assembly. 

The  8th  9th  and  10th  articles  require  no  remark, 
except  that  they  appear  to  be  unimportant. 

With  regard  to  the  12th  article,  it  is  remarked, 
tliat  his  observation  upon  love  as  exercised  by  the 
human  race,  so  far  as  it  may  be  applicable  to  a 


132  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.  [PART  V. 

state  of  infancy,  is  unintelligible ;  and4hat,  though 
a  distinction  may  ])e  made  between  regeneration 
and  conversion,  yet  the  terms  in  which  the  article 
is  expressed  are  exceptionable,  as  they  seem  to 
discourage  the  use  of  the  means  of  grace. 

With  regard  to  the  13th  article,  it  is  remarked, 
that  in  making  repentance  and  faith  to  proceed 
wholly  from  love  or  charity,  Mr.  B.  has  expressed 
an  opinion  unnecessary  and  improper. 

In  regard  to  the  subject  of  false  doctrine,  in  dis- 
coursing from  Psalm  LI.  5th  verse,  and  Isaiah 
chap.  XL VIII,  verse  8th,  nothing  seems  necessary 
to  be  added  to  the  remarks  made  on  the  subject  of 
original  sin,  as  contained  in  Mr.  B's.  creed  ;  except 
that  he  charges  Calvinistic  divines  with  holding 
sentiments  relative  to  infants  which  they  do  not 
hold;  and  that  he  makes  positive  declarations  in 
regard  to  tlie  state  of  infants,  when  it  has  pleased 
a  Wise  and  Holy  GOD  to  be  silent  on  this  subject, 
in  the  revelation  of  his  will. 

In  regard  to  the  subject  of  indecent  language  al- 
leged to  have  been  used  in  the  pulpit  by  Mr.  B., 
it  is  remarked,  that,  if  he  was  misunderstood  by 
the  witnesses,  he  has  notwitlistanding  declared 
such  a  deep  and  suitable  abhorrence  of  all  sucli 
language  i:i  public  discourse,  as  renders  it  unneces- 
sary to  take  any  further  notice  of  it. 

On  the  whole,  your  committee  recommend  that 
Mr.  B.  be  required  to  acknowledge  before  the 
Assembly,  that  he  was  wrong  in  the  publication  of 
his  creed ;  that  in  the  particulars  specified  above, 
he  renounce  the  errors  therein  pointed  out ;  that  he 
engage  to  teach  nothing  hereafter  of  a  similar  na- 
ture ;  that  the  Moderator  admonish  him  of  the  di- 


CHAP.  II.]    ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  133 

visions  J  disorder^  trouble  and  inconvenience  vi^liich. 
he  has  occasioned  to  the  church,  and  its  judicato- 
ries, by  his  imprudent  and  unwarrantable  conduct; 
and  warn  him  against  doing  any  thing  in  time  to 
come,  that  may  tend  to  produce  such  serious  and 
lamentable  evils:  That  if  Mr.  B.  submit  to  this, 
he  be  considered  as  in  good  standing  with  the 
church ;  and  that  the  reference  and  queries  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Carolinas  be  considered  as  fully  an- 
swered by  the  adoption  of  these  measures. 

From  this  decision,  Mr.  Langdon*^  and  Mr.  Wil  * 
liams  dissented.  This  desision  was  read  to  Mr. 
B. ;  and  he  having  requested  time  for  further  consi- 
deration, the  indulgence  was  granted. 

Mr.  B.  appeared  before  the  General  Assembly, 
and  made  the  following  declaration :  viz, 

I  do  fully  acknowledge  that  I  was  wrong  iji  pub- 
lishing my  creed.  I  do  solemnly  declare,  however, 
as  in  the  presence  of  my  final  J  udge,  that  I  never 
did  entertain  the  ideas,  nor  intend  to  teach  the 
doctrines,  which  are  pointed  out  as  errors  in  the 
statement  of  the  Assembly :  but  as  I  cannot  so  well 
judge  as  the  Assembly  what  ideas  my  language 
actually  conveys,  and  the  Assembly  declare  that 
my  language  has  conveyed  these  ideas  and  doc- 
trines to  their  minds,  I  do  cheerfully  and  fully  re- 
nounce them  as  wrong  and  improper;  and  I  do  so- 
lemnly and  sincerely  engage,  in  a  reliance  on  di- 
vine grace,  never  hereafter  to  preach  what  the  As- 


*  Mr.  Langdon  was  a  Delegate  from  the  General  Association  of 
Coonecticut. 

M 


134  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.         [PART  V. 

sembly  have  stated  as  erroneous ;  and  I  do  finally 
and  cheerfully  submit  myself  to  the  admonition 
which  the  Assembly  may  see  meet  to  give  for  my 
irregularities,  which  1  acknowledge  to  deserve  cen- 
sure, and  for  which  I  am  sincerely  sorry" — 
Whereupon  the  Moderator  gave  to  Mr.  B.  the 
solemn  admonition  agreed  to;  and  then  the  Assem- 
bly declared  themselves  fully  satisfied  in  the  case 
of  Mr.  B. ;  and  that  he  is,  and  ought  to  be  consi- 
dered as,  in  good  standing  with  the  church :"  and 
the  whole  transaction  was  concluded  with  prayer. 
—Vol.  I.  p.  175,  176. 

Sect,  5.  PaH  of  an  Address  to  the  Ministers 
and  other  members  of  the  Churches  belonging  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon.     1798. 

But  whilst  we  thus  express  our  confidence  that 
the  competent  judicatory  will  discharge  their  duty 
faithfully,  we  think  it  our  duty  to  say  something 
with  regard  to  ourselves.  We  take  the  present  oc- 
casion of  declaring  our  uniform  adherence  to  the 
doctrines  contained  in  our  Confession  of  Faith,  in 
their  iwesent  plain  and  intelligible  form;  and  our 
fixed  determination  to  maintain  them  against  all 
innovations.  We  earnestly  wish  that  nothing  sub- 
versive of  these  doctrines  may  be  suffered  to  exist^ 
or  to  be  circulated  amongst  the  churches;  we  hope, 
that  even  new  explanations  of  our  known  princi- 
ples, by  unusual  and  offensive  phrases,  will  be  cau- 
tiously" guarded  against,  lest  the  feelings  of  Chris- 
tians should  be  wounded  ;  the  cause  of  religion  in- 
jured; and  the  enemy  take  occasion  to  triumpli 
anfl  blaspjieme.  We  are  also  extremely  anxious 
that  the  peace  of  the  church,  as  well  as  its  purity 


CKAP.  Il]  ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  135 

of  doctrine^  may  be  preserved  inviolate ;  and  that 
every  thing  calculated  to  inflame  the  passions,  to 
insert  the  order  of  the  church,  or  to  interrupt  an^ 
disturb  its  union  may  be  cautiously  avoided. 

Sect.  6.     TJie  utility  of  Creeds,^ 

Consider,  dear  brethren,  the  pernicious  tenden- 
cy of  their  present  disorganizing  plan.  Under  the 
specious  pretence  of  honoring  the  sacred  scriptures, 
they  would  persuade  you  to  reject  all  written  or 
printed  creeds  and  forms  of  discipline,  alleging 
that  tiiose  who  adopt  such,  substitute  them  for  di- 
vine inspiration. 

But,  dear  brethren,  we  presume  you  need 
scarcely  be  informed  of  the  absurdity  of  such  insin- 
uations— You  know  that  we;  you  know  that  you 
yourselves  consider  them  differently.  Confessions 
or  creeds  are  only  the  doctrines  which  we  believe 
to  be  revealed  to  us  from  heaven,  collected  from 
different  parts  of  sacred  scripture,  and  brought  into 
one  view. — Must  not  all  who  read  their  bibles  and 
believe  them,  form  some  opinion  of  what  is  taught 
therein  ?  And  where  can  be  the  criminality,  when 
they  have  thus  searched  and  collected,  to  publish 
V,  hat  they  believe  to  be  the  truths  of  Grod  ? — In  so 
doing,  we  act  in  open  day,  as  children  of  the  light, 
and  do  not  leave  the  world  to  conjecture,  whether 
we  be  Pelagians,  Semi-Pelagians,  Catholics,  Ar- 
minians,  or  Calvinists  ;  or  whether  we  differ  essen- 


*  The  following  remarks,  selected  from  an  address  of  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky  to  the  Churches  under  their  care,  are  found  on  the  minutes 
of  tlie  Assembly  of  1805.  The  address  made  a  part  of  the  report  of  a 
commiuee  of  the  Assembly, 


136  tJONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.  [PART  V. 

tially  from  them  all.  We  do  not  leave  those  with 
whom  we  would  unite  in  the  most  tender  and  en- 
dearing bonds^  at  a  loss  to  know  whether  we  be- 
lieve, or  disbelieve,  what  they  esteem  the  essential 
doctrines  of  Christianity — Reject  all  written  creeds/ 
and  why  not  with  the  same  propriety  all  verbal 
Ques  ?  What  must  then  follow  ?  Those  who  be- 
lieve our  blessed  Saviour  to  be  no  more  than  a 
mere  man,  and  those  who  believe  in  his  divine  na- 
ture ;  those  who  believe  that  God  will  manifest  an 
eternal  displeasure  against  sin,  and  those  who  be- 
lieve he  will  finally  receive  all  wicked  men  and  de- 
vils into  his  favor — In  short,  those  who  believe  the 
truth,  and  those  whose  creed  exhibits  the  most  glar- 
ing errors  andcontradictions,alhinite  together,  enjoy 
the  same  privileges,  and  surround  the  same  board  of 
communion — Can  light  and  darkness  have  fellow- 
ship together?  Or  can  there  be  concord  between 
Christ  and  Belial? — Is  there  no  necessity  for  a 
people,  about  to  put  themselves  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  a  shepherd,  to  know  what  kind  of  doc- 
trines they  are  to  be  taught;  or  is  it  perfectly  in- 
diflPerent  Avhich  of  the  above  contradictory  systems 
they  receive  ? 

It  cannot  be  reasonably  denied,  that  it  is  disor- 
derly for  any  person  to  preach  the  word,  or  admin- 
ister the  ordinances  of  the  gospel,  who  is  not  cloth- 
ed with  ministerial  authority. — Compare  2  Chron. 
XXVI.  18.  with  Heb.  V.  4. 

The  above  report  having  been  considered,  the 
Assembly, 

Resolved,  That  they  highly  tipprove  the  firm  and 
temperate  measures  taken  by  the  Synod  of  Ken- 
tucky and  the  committee  of  the  Assembly  that  met 


CHAP.  II.]  ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  137 

with  them ;  and  are  of  opinion,  that  the  committee, 
besides  the  pecuniary  indemnity  assigned  them,  are 
entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the  Assembly  for  the  dili- 
gence, prudence,  zeal  and  fidelity,  with  which 
they  appear  to  have  executed  their  commission. 
—1805.     Vol.  II.  p.  91,  94,  98. 

Sect.  7.  A  Letter  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  in 
1807. 

Dear  Brethren, 

The  record  of  your  proceedings  in  regard  to  the 
dissolution  of  the  Presbytery  of  Cumberland,  and 
other  measures  connected  with  that  act,  have  attract- 
ed the  marked  attention  of  this  Assembly,  and  been 
the  subject  of  much  discussion.  The  Assembly 
have  truly  sympathized  with  your  Synod,  in  re- 
viewing the  very  interesting  circumstances  in  which 
you  have  been  placed,  and  the  embarrassing  con- 
cerns which  you  have  been  called  to  manage. 
While  the  xlssembly  have  found  it  their  duty,  on 
the  one  hand,  to  approve  of  many  of  your  proceed- 
ings on  the  very  irregular  and  censurable  conduct 
of  that  Presbytery,  and  even  to  commend  the  zeal 
and  decision  vv  ith  which  you  have  acted  ;  they  are 
constrained,  on  the  other,  to  suggest  that  your  pro- 
ceedings in  demanding  that  the  young  men  irregu- 
larly licensed  and  ordained,  be  given  up  to  your 
Body  for  examination ;  in  suspending  the  irregu- 
larly ordained  ministers  without  process  in  their 
case ;  and  in  suspending  Messrs.  Hodge  and  Ran- 
kin, for  not  submitting  to  the  re- examination  of  the 
young  men,  are  at  least  of  questionable  regularity. 
They  therefore  advise  that  you  >seriously  review 

M  2 


138  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.  [PART  V. 

these  proceedings,  and  consider  whether  some  of 
them  ought  not  to  be  rescinded,  and  steps  speedily 
taken  to  mitigate  the  suff'erings  which  your  censure 
appears  to  have  produced,  and  to  remove  at  least  a 
part  of  the  complaints  which  it  has  excited.  In 
doing  this  we  cannot  be  sujoposed  to  recommend 
that  any  demands  of  our  constitutional  standards  of 
doctrine,  discipline,  and  government  should  he  vio- 
lated or  disregarded.  These  demands  are  equally 
binding  on  us  and  you ;  and  the  recognition  of  their 
justice  and  obligation  ought  to  be  considered  as  in- 
dispensable in  all  who  are  to  exercise  the  holy  min- 
istry in  connection  with  our  church.  But  there  is, 
and  ever  must  be,  suppos^ed  in  those  who  are  vested 
with  power,  the  right  and  the  duty  of  exercising  a 
sound  discretion,  which  will  consult  the  spirit,  as 
well  as  the  letter,  of  the  law  ;  which  will  some- 
times forbid  the  exercise  of  power  which  is  pos- 
sessed ;  which  will  endeavour  with  equal  caution 
to  avoid  the  extremes  of  rigour  and  of  laxness  ; 
which  will  yield  something,  yet  not  concede  every 
thing,  to  circumstances  ;  which,  in  a  word,  will  re- 
collect that  power  is  given  for  edification,  and  not 
for  destruction,  and  endeavour  to  be  guided  by  this 
rule.  We  hope,  brethren,  that  in  the  exercise  of 
this  discretion,  you  may  be  able  to  re-establish  the 
Presbytery  of  Cumberland,  and  to  restore  to  chris- 
tian communion,  and  ministerial  usefulness,  some 
of  its  former  members  and  licentiates,  without  sa- 
crificing either  the  doctrines,  or  the  government  of 
our  church.  Of  this  you  must  judge :  and  we  pray, 
that  the  great  Head  of  the  church  may  enable  you 
so  to  judge  and  act,  as  that  the  true  and  lasting  in- 
terests of  the  church;  may  really  be  promoted  by 
your  measures. 


CHAP.  II.]  ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  139 

Sect  8.  Jl  Letter  to  Messrs,  M'Adoiv,  8^c.  in 
1807. 

Brethren , 

The  Assembly  have  received  your  address,  in 
which  you  inform  them,  that  the  Synod  of  Ken- 
tucky have  suspended  you  from  your  ministerial 
office,  and  in  which  you  request  this  Assembly  to 
interpose  in  your  case  without  delay.  The  Assem- 
bly are  grieved  at  finding,  that  any  unhappy  differ- 
ences exist  in  that  part  of  the  church  of  Christ,  in 
which  you  reside.  The  conduct  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Cumberland,  in  licensing  and  ordaining  a  num- 
ber of  persons  not  possessing  the  qualifications  re- 
quired by  our  book  of  discipline,  and  without  ex- 
plicit adoption  of  the  Confession  of  Faithj  appears 
to  have  been  the  origin  of  the  evils  of  which  you 
now  complain.  The  Assembly  are  constrained 
to  express  their  decided  disapprobation  of  this  con- 
duct, as  being  highly  irregular  and  unconstitution- 
al ;  leading  to  tiie  most  dangerous  consequences, 
in  introducing  into  our  church  as  teachers,  illiterate 
men,  and  men  of  any  religious  principles,  however 
erroneous.  But  inasmuch  as  you  have  not  regu- 
larly appealed  to  this  Assembly,  they  do  not  con- 
sider themselves  as  called  on  judicially  to  decide 
on  your  case.  The  Assembly  have  advised  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky  to  review  their  proceedings 
with  regard  to  you,  and  to  their  decision  we  refer 
you. 

We  exhort  you,  brethren,  to  return  to  a  strict 
and  steady  adherence  to  the  Constitution  of  the 
Presbyterian  Chmxh^  and  that  you  sinceraily  endea- 


140  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  kc,  [PART  \  . 

voiir  to  promote  the  peace  aud  best  interest  of  the 
Redeemers  kingdom. 

Sect.  9.  Th  e  Synod^s  conduct  approved  by  the  As- 
semhhj,  in  1809. 

The  Assembly  took  into  consideration  a  letter 
from  the  Synod  of  Kentucky ;  and,  having  carefully 
reviewed  the  same,  and  having  also  read  another 
letter  from  their  records,  which  by  accident  was 
detained  from  the  last  Assembly,  were  of  opinion, 
That  the  Synod  have,  in  these  letters,  exercised 
their  unquestionable  right  of  explaining  their  pro- 
ceedings ;  which  they  have  done,  in  a  respectful 
and  able  manner,  and  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  this 
Assembly  :  and  the  Assembly  think  it  due  to  that 
Synod  to  say,  that  they  deserve  the  thanks  of  the 
church  for  the  firmness  and  zeal,  with  which  they 
have  acted,  in  the  trying  circumstances  in  which 
they  have  been  placed. 

Sect.  lO.  Extract  from  a  Letter  to  the  Rev, 
J.  W.  Stephenson,  recommending  a  faithful  adhe- 
rence to  the  Standards  of  our  Church,  in  1811. 

Adhere  sacredly  to  our  adopted  standards,  whilst 
you  extend  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  others  who, 
you  have  reason  to  hope,  love  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  In  this  way  alone,  do  we  conceive,  peace 
can  be  cultivated,  and  union,  in  the  end,  establish- 
ed between  differing  christians.  To  relinquish 
principles  for  the  sake  of  peace,  is  too  dear  a  sacri- 
fice. And  every  overture  made  to  us  from  any 
quarter,  to  produce  a  union  at  such  an  expense,  we 


CHAP.  II.]    ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.         141 

unliesitatiugly  reject.  The  men  of  whom  you  speak^ 
went  out  from  us,  because  they  w  ere  not  of  us. 
The  objection  they  make  to  our  confession  of  faith, 
as  if  it  taught  the  doctrine  of  fatality,  we  fear  is  not 
so  much  the  result  of  a  defect  of  understanding,  as 
of  a  disposition  to  misrepresent.  For  who  could 
dream  that  the  doctrine  of  fatality  was  taught  in  an 
instrument,  in  which  it  is  declared  expressly,  that 
the  liberty  of  second  causes  is  not  impaired  ?  We 
do  not  object  to  your  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  confer  with  these  men.  But  we  wish  you  to  be 
careful  not  to  yield  any  principle  either  in  doctrine 
or  in  government.  You  will  readily  perceive  the 
propriety  of  the  advdce,  when  you  recollect  that  our 
standards  constitute  our  bond  of  union.  Neither 
individuals  nor  judicatories  can  alter  them ;  for 
the  whole  church  is  interested.  If  you  modify  any 
part  of  our  standards,  to  suit  these  men,  you  are 
bound  by  the  precedent,  to  modify  another  part  for 
another  set  of  men,  if  they  should  make  objections. 
Take  your  stand,  therefore,  on  the  ground  of  the 
confession  of  faith,  and  the  book  of  discipline. 
Keep  that  ground.  If  these  men  wish  to  join  our 
church,  they  know  the  terras.  Their  wish  to  alter 
these  terms  is  not  very  modest ;  for  it  is  requesting 
the  majority  to  yield  to  the  minority.  As  we  force 
no  one  to  adopt  our  standards,  thei'e  is  no  oppres- 
sion exercised  over  any  by  our  adherence  to  our 
own  principles.  The  contrary  practice,  in  fact,  is 
the  intolerance  of  a  few  over  the  many,  and  must 
produce  ruinous  effects.  The  history  of  your  part 
of  our  church  is  a  w  arning.  Whilst  we  thus  ex- 
hort you  to  receive  none  upon  any  modification  of 
our  standards,  we  recommend  to  you  a  conciliatory. 


442  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH^  &C.  [PART  V. 

mikl^  and  forbearing  conduct  to  those  who  are  out 
of  our  communion. — Vol.  III.  p.  7. 


Sect.  11.  Extract  from  the  JSTarrotlve  on  the 
state  of  Religion  recommending  the  same  duty,  in 
1811. 

There  appears  an  increasing  attention  in  most 
places  to  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  People  be- 
gin to  be  generally  convinced,  that  it  is  important  for 
them  to  have  correct  principles,  in  order  that  they 
may  lead  correct  lives.  Especially  do  they  who 
profess  the  hope  of  gospel,  pay  more  of  that  atten- 
tion to  doctrines  which  sound  philosophy  and  the 
scriptures  demand.  And  the  doctrines  which  they 
esteem  and  cherish,  are  those  which  our  fathers  in 
the  old  world  embraced;  in  the  faith  of  which  they 
died,  and  which  are  contained  in  our  standards. 
They  are  denominated,  appropriately,  the  doctrines 
of  grace,  and  constitute  both  our  glory  and  defence. 
By  them  God  is  honoured;  and  sinners  are  saved. 
They  have  ever  been  opposed,  and  they  ever  will 
be  opposed,  by  those  who  know  not  the  truth,  or 
who  hold  it  in  unrighteousness.  But  God  has  ever 
pnt  the  seal  of  his  approbation  on  them,  making 
them  eft'ectual  to  the  conversion  of  sinners.  Vol. 
III.  p.  26. 

Sect.  12.  The  same  duty  again  recommended 
in  the  Pastoral  Letter  of  1817. 

Finally,  dear  brethren,  be  united  among 
YOURSELVES.  If  you  desire  to  profit  by  your  spi- 
ritual privileges  ;  if  you  hope  to  be  instrumental  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  Christ,  or  to  be  honoured 


CHAP.  II.]    ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.         143 

with  his  blessing ;  cherish  harmony  of  affection, 
and  union  of  effort. — Besides  the  common  bonds  of 
christian  love^  which  unite  the  great  family  of  be- 
lievers ;  the  ministers  and  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Cliurch  are  cemented  by  a  compact  which 
every  lionest  man  cannot  fail  to  appreciate.  We 
mean  the  "  Confession  of  Faith''  of  our  church. 
While  we  believe  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments  to  be  the  only  infallible  rule  of 
faith  and  practice,  we  do  also,  if  we  deal  faithfully 
with  Grod  and  man,  sincerely  receive  and  adopt 
this  Confession,  as  containing  the  system  of  doc- 
trine taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  Let  us  ad- 
here to  this  standard  with  fidelity ;  and  endeavour 
to  transmit  to  our  children  pure  and  undefiled,  a 
treasure,  which  our  fathers  at  great  expense  have, 
under  God,  bequeathed  to  us.  But  while  we  hold 
fast  the  form  of  sound  words  ^Yh[ch  we  have  receiv- 
ed, let  us  guard  against  indulging  a  spirit  of  con- 
troversy, than  which  few  things  are  more  unfriendly 
to  the  life  and  power  of  godliness.  It  is  never  ne- 
cessary to  sacrifice  charity,  in  order  to  maintain 
faith  and  hope.  That  differences  of  opinion,  ac- 
knowledged on  all  hands,  to  be  of  the  minor  class, 
may  and  ought  to  be  tolerated,  among  those  who 
are  agreed  in  great  and  leading  views  of  Divine 
trutii,  is  a  principle  on  Avhich  tlie  godly  have  so 
long  and  so  generally  acted,  that  it  seems  unneces- 
sary, at  the  present  day,  to  seek  arguments  for  its 
support.  Our  Fathers,  in  early  periods  of  the  his- 
tory of  our  church,  had  their  peculiarities  and  di- 
versities of  opinion;  which  jet^  however,  did  not 
prevent  them  from  loving  one  another,  from  cor- 
dially acting  together  ;  and  by  their  united  prayers 
and  exertions,  transmitting  to  us  a  goodly  iuheri- 


144  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.  [PART  V. 

tance.  Let  us  emulate  their  moderation  and  for- 
beanice,  and  we  may  hope  to  be  favoured  with 
more  than  their  success. 

The  great  adversary  will,  no  doubt,  be  dis- 
posed to  sow  the  seeds  of  discord  and  division 
•amons:  vou.  But  resist  him  in  this,  as  well  as  all 
his  other  insidious  efforts.  Surely  those  who  can 
come  together  on  the  great  principles  of  our  pub- 
lic Standards,  however  they  may  differ  on  non-es- 
sential points,  ought  not  to  separate,  or  to  indulge 
bitterness  or  prejudice  against  each  other.  Dear 
brethren,  let  there  be  no  divisions  among  you  ; — 
hut  he  perfectly  joined  together  in  the  same  mind, 
and  in  the  same  judgment.  Follow  the  things  which 
make  for  peace,  and  the  things  whereby  ye  may  edify 
one  another.  Behold  how  good,  and  how  pleasant  it 
is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity  !  Brethren, 
farewell,  love  one  another;  for  love  is  of  God,  and 
every  one  that  loveth  is  horn  of  God,  and  knoweth 
God.  Be  of  one  mind;  live  in  peace,  and  the  God 
of  love  and  of  peace  shall  be  with  you.  Amen  ! 

Sect.  13.  The  ''  Gospel  Plan''  of  the  Rev.  W. 
C.  Davis  condemned,  in  1810. 

The  overture  from  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas, 
which  had  been  laid  on  the  table,  referring  to  the 
Assembly  an  overture  laid  before  that  Synod,  re- 
questing their  attention,  to  a  late  publication  by  the 
llev.  William  C.  Davis,  denominated  ^^The  Gos- 
pel Plan,"  was  read  ;  and  Messrs.  Robert  G.  Wil- 
son, Calhoon  and  Anderson,  w  ere  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  examine  said  book,  and  report  to  this  As- 
sembly the  doctrines  it  contains,  if  any  such  they 


CHAP.  II.]  ACTS  OT  THE  A9SEMBLV.  145 

find,  that  are  contrary  to  the  standards  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church. 

The  committee  appointed  to  review  the  book 
lately  published  by  Mr.  Da^is,  reported,  and  the 
report  was  read ;  and  each  article  separately  was 
discussed,  and  being  proposed,  was  voted  upon  by 
the  Assembly. 

This  was  followed  by  a  resolution,  which  was 
laid  on  the  table  for  future  discussion  and  conside- 
ration. 

The  report  of  the  committee,  appointed  to  review 
Mr.  Davis's  book,  entitled  "  The  Gospel  Plan,'' 
was  again  read ;  and,  the  vote  being  taken  on  the 
whole,  it  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  resolution  laid  on  the  table  in  the  morning 
was  also  adopted,  and  follows  the  report. 

The  committee,  presuming  that  a  complete  and 
perfect  enumeration  of  all  the  objectionable  parts 
of  said  book  is  not  expected,  called  the  attention 
of  the  Assembly  only  to  the  following  doctrines, 
supposed  to  be  contrary  to  the  Confession  of  Faith 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Doctrine  1st.  That  the  active  obedience  of  Christ 
constitutes  no  part  of  that  righteousness  by  which 
a  sinner  is  justified.  See  pages  of  said  book  257^ 
261,  and  264,  3d  corollary. 

Doct.  2d.  That  obedience  to  the  moral  law  was 
not  required  as  the  condition  of  the  covenant  of 
works.     See  pages  178  and  180. 

The  aforesaid  pages  being  read,  it  was  on  mo- 
tion, Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  do  consider 

N 


146  CONFESSION  OF  FAtTHj  &C.  [fART  \  . 

these  doctrines  as  contrary  to  the  Confession  of 
Faith  of  our  church. 

Doct.  3.  God  liimself  is  as  firmly  bound  in  duty 
(not  obedience)  to  his  creatures,  as  his  creatures 
are  bound  in  obedience  or  duty  to  him  ;  see  pages 
164  and  166 ;  also  that  God's  ^vill  is  not  the  stand- 
ard of  right  and  wrong.  If  God's  will  is  the  pri- 
mary rule  of  his  own  actions,  he  would  be, — 1st. 
Entirely  void  of  holiness ; — 2d.  There  could  be 
no  justice  in  God ; — 3d.  It  would  be  impossible 
for  God  to  be  unchangeable  ; — 4th.  If  the  will  of 
God  is  the  standard  of  right  and  wrong,  then  it 
would  be  no  infringement  on  the  divine  character 
to  be  unfaithful  to  his  word  and  promise.  See 
pages  168 — 171.     These  pages  were  read. 

Resolved,  That,  without  deciding  on  the  ques- 
tion whether  these  sentiments  are  contrary  to  our 
Confession  of  Faith,  the  Assembly  consider  the 
mode  in  which  they  are  expressed  as  unhappy  and 
calculated  to  mislead  the  reader. 

Doct.  4.  God  could  not  make  Adam,  or  any 
other  creature  either  holy  or  unholy.  See  page  194^ 
compared  with  166. 

Doct.  5.  Regeneration  must  be  a  consequence 
of  faith.  Faith  precedes  regeneration.  See  page 
352. 

Doct.  6.  That  faith,  in  the  first  act  of  it,  is  not 
an  holy  act.     See  page  358,  &c. 

The  pages  above  referred  to  being  read,  it  was 
on  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  do  consi- 
der the  three  last  mentioned  doctrines  contrary  to 
the  Confession  of  Faith  of  our  church. 


CHAP.  II.]    ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  147 

Doct.  7.  That  christians  may  sin  wilfully  and 
habitually.  See  pages  532  and  534.  These  pages 
were  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  consider  the  ex- 
pressions, in  the  pages  referred  to,  as  very  unguard- 
ed ;  and  so  far  as  they  intimate  it  to  be  the  author's 
opinion,  that  a  person  may  live  in  a  habitual  and 
allowed  sin,  and  yet  be  a  christian,  the  Assembly 
considers  them  contrary  to  the  letter  and  spirit  of 
the  Confession  of  Faith  of  our  church,  and,  in  their 
tendency  highly  dangerous. 

Doct.  8.  If  God  has  to  plant  all  the  principal 
parts  of  salvation  in  a  sinner's  heart,  to  enable  him 
to  believe,  the  gospel  plan  is  quite  out  of  his  reach, 
and  consequently  does  not  suit  his  case  ;  and  it 
must  be  impossible  for  God  to  condemn  a  man 
for  unbelief;  for  no  just  law  condemns  or  crimi- 
nates any  person  for  not  doing  what  he  cannot  do. 
See  page  413. 

This  page  and  several  others,  on  the  same  sub- 
ject, being  read,  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  do 
consider  this  last  mentioned  doctrine  contrary  to 
the  Confession  of  Faith  of  our  church. 

On  the  whole,  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly 
cannot  but  view  with  disapprobation  various  parts 
of  the  work  entitled,  ^^The  Gospel  Plan,''  of  which 
William  C.  Davis  is  stated  in  the  title  page  to  be 
the  author. 

In  several  instances  in  this  work,  modes  of  ex- 
pression are  adopted,  so  different  from  those  which 
are  sanctioned  by  use,  and  by  the  best  orthodox 
writers,  that  the  Assembly  consider  them  as  calcu- 
lated to  produce  useless  or  mischievous  specula- 
tions. 


l48  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.         [PART  V. 

In  several  other  instances,  there  are  doctrines 
asserted  and  advocated,  as  have  been  already  de- 
cided, contrary  to  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  our 
church,  and  the  word  of  God  ^  which  doctrines  the 
Assembly  feel  constrained  to  i>ronounce  to  be  of 
very  dangerous  tendency :  and  the  Assembly  do 
judge,  and  hereby  do  declare,  that  the  preaching 
or  publishing  them  ought  to  subject  the  person 
or  persons  so  doing  to  be  dealt  with  by  their  re- 
spective Presbyteries,  according  to  the  discipline 
of  the  church  relative  to  the  propagation  of  errors. 
—Vol.  II.  p.  334,  335. 

Sect.  14.  Extracts  of  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Da- 
rid  Rice,  in  1804. 

We  do  not  say  that  a  liberal  education  is  abso- 
lutely essential  to  a  man's  usefulness  in  the  minis- 
try of  the  gospel ;  but  reason  and  experience  both 
demonstrate  its  high  importance  and  utility.  And 
where  ignorant  men  are  permitted  to  explain  the 
holy  scriptures,  it  ought  to  be  subject  to  the  di- 
rection and  control  of  others,  of  greater  knowledge. 
But  this  is  an  order  which  it  has  not  been  thought 
proper  to  adopt,  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  And 
the  superior  comparative  prosperity  and  usefulness 
of  our  church,  and  that  of  our  eastern  brethren, 
which  is  similarly  constituted,  is  a  demonstration, 
by  no  means  equivocal,  of  the  approbation  and 
tsmiles  of  heaven  upon  us,  in  the  exercise  of  our 
present  form  of  government  and  discipline. — But, 
were  our  opinion  on  this  subject  different  from  what 
it  is,  we  cannot  lawfully  and  conscientiously  de- 
part from  our  present  standards,  till  they  be  chang- 
ed in  an  orderly  manner,  by  the  consent  of  a  ma- 


CHAP.  II.]  ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  149 

jovity  of  the  Presbyteries^  Avliicli  compose  the  body 
of  the  General  Assembly. 

You  express  your  apprehensions  lest,  if  certain 
illiterate  and  unqualiiied  men  should  not  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  among  you, 
they  may  withdraw  from  the  church,  and  become 
tlie  promoters  of  dangerous  schisms.  We  answer, 
the  path  of  duty  is  a  safe  path.  Do  what  is  right, 
and  commit  the  event  to  God.  If  they  are  men 
of  such  a  spirit,  it  is  only  a  new  proof  that  they 
are  most  unfit  for  the  office  to  which  they  aspire. 
Parties  created  by  them,  will  neither  be  important, 
nor  durable.  But  if  the  gates  of  the  church  are 
opened  to  weakness  and  ignorance;  she  will  soon 
be  overflowed  with  errors,  and  the  wildest  disor- 
ders. We  shall  bring  the  ministry  into  disgrace 
and  contempt,  wliich  should  be  like  tlie  priesthood 
of  Aaron,  without  blemish. — If  men  are  sincerely 
desirous  of  promoting  the  glory  of  God,  let  them 
first  bestow  the  necessary  pains  and  time,  to  ac- 
quire the  requisite  qualifications,  for  feeding  and 
leading  the  flock  of  Christ :  let  them  be  regularly 
initiated  into  the  priesthood;  and  not  hasten  to  offer 
unhallowed  fire  on  God's  altar.  If  they  are  sin- 
cerely desirous  of  doing  good,  let  them  do  it  in  that 
sphere,  in  which  they  appear  destined  by  Provi- 
dence to  move.  In  this  every  christian,  the  poor- 
est and  the  humblest,  has  ample  scope  to  exercise 
his  pious  and  benevolent  dispositions,  and  to  exert 
his  talents,  whatever  they  may  be. 

Notwithstanding  the  preceding  reflections,  it  is 
the  opinion  of  this  Assembly,  that  where  the  field 
of  labor  is  too  extensive  for  the  ordinary  and  regu- 
lar ministry,  certain  assistants,  like  the  helps  or 
catechists  of  the  primitive  church,  may,  under  pro- 

N2 


i50  coxFESSiox  or  faith,  kc.       [part  v. 

per  restrictions  and  limitations,  be  usefully  employ- 
ed, iu  instructiDg  the  young  in  the  principles  of 
our  holy  religion,  and  conducting  the  praying  and 
voluntary  societies  of  private  christians.  Great 
caution,  however,  ought  to  be  used  in  employing 
such  an  order  of  men ;  lest  an  indiscreet  zeal 
should  impel  them  to  extravagancies  which  may 
prove  dishonourable  and  injurious  to  religion ;  or 
lest,  being  lifted  up  with  pride,  they  come  at  length 
to  spurn  the  authority  which  has  appointed  them, 
create  di^isions  in  the  church,  and  so  fall  into  the 
condemnutian  of  the  Deril.  In  some  parts  of  the 
•  hurch  iheir  utilitv  misiht  be  verv  sreat.  while  in 

ihers  they  would  prove  not  only  useless  but  dan- 
gerous. It  must  be  left  solely  to  the  regular  and 
established  judicatories  of  the  church,  according  to 
the  circumstances  which  may  exist  within  their 
respective  limits,  to  judge  upon  this  subject.  But, 
V,  herever  it  may  be  thought  expedient  to  resort  to 
-uch  helps,  we  give  it  as  our  advice  that  none  be 
employed  but  men  of  pimdent  and  sound  minds,  as 
well  as  of  sincere  piety  :  men  who  are  humble,  and 
willing  to  submit  to  order,  as  w  ell  as  zealous  in  the 
.'>ernce  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Let  their  duties 
be  clearly  pointed  out  to  them,  and  circumscribed 
\\ithiu  precise  limits.  And  under  the  direction  of 
the  Presbytery,  let  them,  as  frequently  as  possible, 
be  \'isited,  and  their  conduct  inspected,  to  see  how 
far  thev  are  both  able  and  faithful  in  discharge  of 
the  trust  committed  to  them.     They  are  not  to  be 

onsidered  as  standing  oflBcers  in  the  church ;  but 
ill  ay  be  appointed,  or  removed,  at  the  discretion  of 
the  Presbytei-y.  But,  if  any,  upon  full  experience, 
are  found  to  possess  uncommon  talents;  are  diligent 
lo  acquire  the  requisite  qualifications  for  preaching 


CHAP.  II.]     ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.         151 

the  gospel,  and  promise  to  be  eminently  useful  in 
the  churchy  they  may,  in  time,  purchase  to  them- 
selves a  good  degree,  and  be  admitted,  according;  to 
the  regular  course,  to  the  holy  ministry. 

Sect.   15.      The   opinion    of  the    Assembly  in 
regard    to    immediate    impulses    and    revelatians 
from  Heaven^  expressed  in  a  Pastoral  Letter  of 
1804. 

We  stronsrlv  bear  our  testimony  asrainst  those 
persons  who  pretend  to  immediate  impulses  and 
revelations  from  heaven^  those  divine  communica- 
tions which  were  given  only  to  the  Prophets  and 
Apostles,  wlio  were  appointed  by  God  to  reveal  to 
mankind  the  way  of  eternal  life.  When  men  pre- 
sume that  the  holy  spirit,  contrary  to  the  establish- 
ed order  of  providence,  interferes,  by  particular  im- 
pulse, to  direct  them  in  all  the  common  aiiairs  of 
life;  when  they  deem  themselves  to  be  impelled  by 
him,  to  particular  acts,  or  particular  religious  ex- 
ercises, contrary  to  the  established  order  of  the 
Grospel,  and  the  obvious  duties  of  the  moment; 
when  finally,  they  pretend  to  miraculous  powers, 
or  prophetic  iniiuences,  and  the  foretelling  of  future 
events  :  all  these  are  evidences  of  a  wild  enthusi- 
astic spirit,  and  tend,  eventually,  to  destroy  the 
authority  of  the  word  of  God,  as  the  sole  rule  of 
faith  and  practice.  Vol.  U,  p.  66. 


Sect,  16.     Amendments  to  the  Constitution. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly, 
''  to  consider  the  expediency  of  publishing  a  Xew 
Edition  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  &c.  of  this 


152  COXFESSlOPs  OF  FAITH,  kc.  [PART  V. 

Cliurcli ;  to  consider  wliether  any,  and  if  any, 
what  alterations  ought  to  be  made,  in  the  said 
Confession  of  Faith,  &c.  and  to  make  preparatory 
arrangements  on  this  subject,''  exhibited  their  re- 
port. 

The  Assembly.... having  gone  through  the  same 
by  paragraphs,  and  made  several  amendments,  it 
was  adopted,  as  follows  : 

After  a  very  serious  attention  to  the  subject  Qom- 
mitted  to  them,  your  Committee  have  resolved  to 
propose  no  alterations  whatever,  in  tlie  Confession 
of  Faith  and  Catechisms  of  our  church  ;  and  are 
clearly  of  the  opinion,  that  none  ought  to  be  at- 
tempted. 

The  creed  of  every  churcli,  as  it  ought  to  be  de- 
rived immediately  and  wholly  from  the  word  of  God, 
must  be  considered  as  standing  on  ground,  conside- 
rably different  from  that  Avliich  supports  the  sys- 
tem of  forms  and  regulations,  by  which  worship 
shall  be  conducted,  and  government  administered. 
And,  if  it  be  once  rightly  settled,  can  never  be  al- 
tered with  propriety,  by  any  change  of  time  or  ex- 
ternal circumstances  of  the  cliurch. 

Circumstances,  indeed,  may  render  it  proper,  in 
deducing  a  summary  of  faith  from  the  scripture,  to 
dwell  more  largely  and  particularly  on  some  points, 
at  one  time,  than  would  be  necessary  at  another ; 
and  every  attentive  and  diligent  reader  of  our  stand- 
ards will  probably  remark,  that  the  state  of  the 
church,  when  our  Confession  and  Catechisms 
were  formed,  was,  in  fact,  the  cause  that  its  pious 
and  learned  authors  expressed  their  sentiments  on 
certain  topics,  especially  such  as  relate  to  the  con- 


CHAP.  II.]     ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.        153 

troversies  between  protestants  and  papists^  more 
largely  than  would  now  be  necessary,  if  the  whole 
were  to  be  formed  anew.  But  still,  as  those  senti- 
ments are,  Ave  conceive,  just  in  themselves,  and  as 
the  particular  delineation  of  them  can  do  no  harm, 
and  will  sometimes  prove  a  guide  both  to  the  Cler- 
gy and  laity  of  our  communion,  we  cannot  wish  to 
see  any  retrenchment  made.  It  would  give  alarm 
to  many  of  our  people,  who  might  suspect  that  this 
was  but  the  introduction  to  innovations  of  more  im- 
portance. And  your  committee  will  take  the  li- 
berty to  remark,  that  it  is  by  no  means  to  be  consi- 
dered as  a  vulgar  or  unfounded  prejudice,  when 
alarm  is  excited,  by  alterations  and  innovations  in 
the  creed  of  a  church.  There  are  many  reasons  of 
the  most  weighty  kind,  that  will  dispose  every  man 
of  sound  judgment  and  accurate  observation,  to  re- 
gard a  spirit  of  change  in  this  particular,  as  an  evil, 
pregnant  Avith  an  host  of  mischiefs.  It  leads  the 
infidel  to  say,  and  with  apparent  plausibility,  that 
there  can  be  no  truth  clearly  revealed  in  scripture  ; 
because  not  only  its  friends,  of  various  sects,  but  of 
the  same  sect,  pretend  to  see  truths  in  it  at  one  time, 
which,  at  another,  they  discover  and  declare  to  be 
falsehood.  It  hurts  the  mind  of  weak  believers, 
by  suggesting  to  them  the  same  thought — It  de- 
stroys the  confidence  of  the  people  generally,  in 
those  who  maintain  a  system,  which  is  liable  to 
constant  fluctuations.  It  violates  settled  and  use- 
ful habits — It  encourages  those  who  are  influenced 
by  the  vanity  of  attempting  to  improve  what  wise 
men  have  executed,  or  by  the  mere  love  of  novelty, 
to  give  constant  disturbance  to  the  church  by  their 
crude  proposals  of  amendment — And  it  is  actually 
found  to  open  the  door  to  lasting  uneasiness,  con- 


154  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.         [PART  V. 

slant  altercation,  and,  finally,  to  the  adoption  of 
errors,  a  thousand  fold  more  dangerous  and  hurt- 
ful, than  any  that  shall  have  been  corrected — In  a 
word,  what  was  true  wli=en  our  Confession  and  Ca- 
techisms were  formed,  is  true  now — We  believe 
that  this  truth  has  been  most  admirably  and  accu- 
rately drawn  into  view  in  these  excellent  perform- 
ances. They  have  become  venerable  from  their 
age. — Our  church  has  flourished  under  their  influ- 
ence ;  and  we  can  see  no  reason  to  alter  them. 
If  there  are  few  things  (and  few  they  must  be,  and 
of  less  importance,  if  they  exist  at  all)  which  it 
might  be  shown  could  be  expressed  mure  correctly, 
and  in  a  manner  less  liable  to  objection,  it  is  not 
proper,  witli  a  view  to  obtain  this,  to  expose  our- 
selves to  the  great  inconveniences  and  injuries  that 
have  been  specified. 

Leaving,  then,  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Ca- 
techisms of  our  Church  untouched  ;  your  committee 
took  into  consideration  the  Form  of  Government, 
Directory  for  Worship,  and  Forms  of  Process. 
These  (as  has  already  been  hinted)  were  consider- 
ed as  standing  on  other  ground  than  our  creeds. 
The  word  of  God,  in  regard  to  these,  is  much  less 
specific  and  particular,  than  in  articles  of  faith. 
Many  things  in  this  part  of  a  church  organization, 
are,  and  must  be,  left  to  christian  prudence,  and 
modified  by  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  religious 
societies,  guided  by  the  general  lights  which  the 
scripture  holds  forth. — Here  churches  in  one  coun- 
try may,  and  perhaps  ought  to,  differ  from  those 
of  another.  We  have  already  differed  very  con- 
siderably from  the  church  of  Scotland,  from  which 
we  derived  our  origin.  And  as  it  is  difficult,  per- 
haps impossible,  for  any  man,  or  body  of  men,  to 


CHAP.  II.]     ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.         155 

anticipate  all  the  circumstances  or  cases  wliicb  may 
turn  up  in  practice,  under  a  general  rule  or  law, 
wliicli  is  framed  to  provide  for  them,  experience 
will  point  out  some  errors  and  many  deficiencies  ; 
and  thus  may  suggest  many  real  amendments  ; 
amendments  too,  not  liable  to  the  most  material 
objections  that  have  been  stated  in  the  former  case. 
On  this  part  of  our  ecclesiastical  polity  then,  the 
work  in  some  measure  of  our  own  hands,  the  com- 
mittee have  ventured  to  propose  a  considerable 
number  of  amendments ;  remarking,  hoAvever,  and 
begging  that  the  remark  may  be  particularly  re- 
garded, that  the  alterations  proposed,  are  of  such 
a  nature,  that  if  the  whole  of  them  should  be 
adopted ;  they  would  not  alter,  but  only  explain, 
render  more  practicable,  and  bring  nearer  to  per- 
fection, the  general  system  which  has  already  gone 
into  use. 

The  committee,  having  thus  shortly  detailed  to 
the  Assembly  the  principles  by  which  they  have 
been  governed,  (and  which  they  wished  to  do  for 
their  own  justification,  as  well  as  to  fulfil  so  impor- 
tant a  part  of  what  they  considered  their  duty,) 
have  only  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Assembly  to 
the  alterations  proposed  ;  leaving  it  to  such  mem- 
bers of  the  committee,  as  are  also  members  of  the 
Assembly,  to  explain  the  reasons,  on  which  the 
proposed  alterations  have  been  offered. 

Here  followed  the  proposed  amendments  which 
were  all  adopted,  by  the  Presbyteries.  This  fact 
having  been  ascertained  from  their  reports,  the 
Assembly  passed  the  following  resolution  in  1805. 

Resolved,  That  the  trustees  of  the  General  As- 
sembly be  requested  to  take  measures  for  publish- 


156  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH,  &C.  [PART  V, 

ing  a  new  edition  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  and 
Catechisms  ;  the  plan  of  government,  discipline 
and  directory  for  worship,  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  these  United  States.  And  whereas  all 
the  amendments  proposed  by  last  Assembly,  have 
been  approved  by  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  ; 
and  this  approbation  certified  by  them  in  writing  to 
this  Assembly ; 

Resolved,  That  the  Trustees  cause  the  said 
amendments  to  be  incorporated  into  the  Plan  of 
Government  and  Discipline ;  secure  the  copy  right, 
and  draw  warrants,  from  time  to  time,  for  the  sums 
of  money  which  may  be  necessary,  for  carrying 
on  and  finishing  the  work. — Vol.  II.  p.  123. — 
1805. 


Sect.  17.  »^n  alteration  made  in  the  ratio  of  re- 
presentation from  the  Presbyteries,  in  1819. 

The  Presbyteries  were  called  upon  to  report  on 
the  subject  of  the  overture  sent  down  by  the  last 
General  Assembly,  proposing  an  alteration  in  the 
Constitution,  in  the  following  words  : 

1.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the 
Presbyteries  to  alter  the  ratio  of  representation  by 
substituting  in  Chap.  XI.  Sect.  2,  the  word  nine 
for  the  word  six,  and  the  word  eighteen  in  place  of 
the  word  twelve, 

2.  That  the  Presbyteries  be  required  to  send  up 
to  the  next  General  Assembly  their  respective  de- 
cisions on  the  question  submitted  to  their  conside- 
ration in  the  above  Resolution. 


CHAP.  11.]  ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  157 

Reports  on  this  subject  from  tlie  following  Pres- 
byteries were  received  in  writing,  declaring  their 
concurrence  in  the  proposed  amendment :  viz.  Nia- 
gara, Ontario,  Onondaga,  Cayuga,  Geneva,  Bath, 
Columbia,  Londonderry,  Hudson,  Newton,  Long- 
Island,  Jersey,  New-Branswick,  Oneida,  Phila- 
delphia, Northumberland,  Huntingdon,  Erie, 
Lancaster,  Portage,  Grand  River,  Hartford,  Ohio, 
Winchester,  Hanover,  Lexington,  Washington. 
Orange,  Concord,  Transylvania,  Harmony,  Mis- 
sissippi, Miami,  Fayetteville,  and  Richland  : — 
Whereupon  the  General  Assembly  did,  and  here- 
by do,  declare  that  the  above  mentioned  amend- 
ment of  the  constitution  has  been  duly  and  constitu- 
tionally made. 

Sect.  18.  Persons  styling  themselves^  The 
Cumberland  Presbytery. 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  con- 
sideration  of  the  manner  in  which  certain  persons 
should  be  treated,  who  formerly  belonged  to  the 
late  Cumberland  Presbytery,  and  who  since  the 
dissolution  of  said  Presbytery  continue  to  style 
themselves  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  reported: 
and  their  report  being  read,  was  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows :  viz. 

That  those  persons  were  under  the  censure  of 
the  church  at  the  time  of  their  constituting  as  a 
Presbytery — that  they  had  neglected  to  take  the 
regular  steps  for  the  removal  of  that  censure — 
that  they  erected  themselves  into  a  judicatory  con- 
trary to  the  rules  of  our  discipline — ^that  the  grounds 
of  their  separation  from  us  were,  that  we  would 
not  relax  our  discipline,  and  surrender  some  im- 

O 


158  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH^  &C.  [PART  \. 

portant  doctrines  of  our  Confession  of  Faith : — 
Wherefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  persons  be  viewed 
as  having  derived  no  authority  from  us  to  exercise 
discipline,  or  adminis^ter  the  ordinances  of  the 
church,  and  that  our  regular  members  cannot  treat 
with  them  as  a  body,  but  only  as  individuals. — 1814. 

Sect  19.  What  edition  of  the  Confession  of 
Faith  to  be  purchased. 

Whereas,  this  Assembly  have  been  informed, 
that  one  ©r  more  unauthorised  editions,  of  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  the  form  of  government  and 
discipline  of  this  church,  have  been  published  with- 
in a  short  period. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  cannot 
recognize  as  accurate,  or  recommend  to  the  church- 
es under  their  care,  any  edition  of  the  said  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  published  since  that  which  was 
printed  by  Robert  Aitken,  in  the  year  1797  ;  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  General  Assembly :  and  the 
Assembly  would  further  declare  to  the  churches  in 
their  communion,  that  no  edition  of  the  said  Con- 
fession of  Faith  ought,  in  future,  to  be  purchased 
or  encouraged  by  them,  except  such  as  may  be 
published  by  the  authority  of  the  Assembly. 


PART   VI 


AND 

THE  TRUSTEES. 

CHAPTER  1. 

OF  THE  MISSIONARY  FUND. 


Sect,  1.     Resolutions  on  the  subject ,  in  1791. 

A  HE  committee  appointed  to  devise  a  method  to 
raise  a  permanent  fund  for  the  support  of  Mission- 
aries and  for  the  other  purposes  of  the  General 
Assembly,  made  the  following  report :  viz. 

The  committee  of  finance  beg  leave  to  report, 
that  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee  the  common 
expenses  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  of  suppor- 
ting its  missionaries,  ought  to  be  made  a  common 
burden,  and  equalized  as  far  as  possible;  that  for 
this  purpose  a  general  and  permanent  arrangement 
ought  to  be  made  on  this  subject :  they,  therefore, 
submit  the  following  resolutions  :  viz. 


160  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PAHT  VI. 

Resolved  1st.  That  it  be  enjoined  on  the  seve- 
ral Presbyteries  subordinate  to  this  Assembly,  that 
they  take  effectual  measures  to  collect  money  an- 
nually from  all  the  churches  under  their  jurisdic- 
tion, and  to  forward  the  same  yearly  to  the  treasurer 
of  the  General  Assembly,  with  the  name  and  state 
of  their  churches  settled  and  vacant,  and  the  sum 
received  from  each. 

2.  That  the  several  Synods  use  their  endeavours 
to  promote  this  collection ;  and  that  for  this  pur- 
pose they  annually  call  the  Presbyteries  of  which 
they  are  composed  to  account  and  inquire  into  their 
diligence  herein.  The  Presbyteries  shall  do  the 
like  with  respect  to  their  members,  as  often  as  oc- 
casion may  requii*e. 

3.  That  the  monies  so  collected  shall  be  placed 
in  one  fund,  and  appropriated  to  defraying  the  in  • 
cidental  expenses  of  the  General  Assembly  and 
the  expenses  of  the  commissioners  at  a  reasonable 
allowance  to  each,  according  to  the  distance  from 
which  he  comes — provided,  that  the  sum  allowed 
to  each  commissioner  shall  not  execed  one  dollar 
for  every  forty  miles  in  coming  to  and  returning 
from  the  Assembly,  and  half  a  dollar  per  day  for 
his  expenses  during  the  time,  he  shall  attend  his 
duty  in  the  Assembly  :  and  whereas,  this  Assembly 
has  it  much  at  heart  to  supply  with  the  means  of 
eternal  life,  the  multitudes,  who  are  ready  to  per- 
ish on  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States,  and  have 
already  adopted  temporary  expedients  for  that  pur- 
pose ;  and  as  the  demand  is  likely  to  be  perma- 
nent and  should  be  supplied  by  permanent  funds ; 
therefore,  Resolved, 

4.  That  the  Synod  of  Virginia  and  of  the  Caro- 
liuas,  continue  to  prosecute  the  plans  for  this  pur- 


CHAP.  I.]  THE  MISSIONARY  FUND.  161 

pose,  which  they  have  formed,  or  may  form^  under 
the  direction  and  allowance  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly ;  and  accouat  annually  for  their  conduct,  and 
report  their  success  in  this  business. 

5.  That  the  Presbyteries  composing  the  Synods 
of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  that  of  Phila- 
delphia^ use  tlieir  best  endeavours  to  forward  yearly 
to  the  general  treasurer  a  collection  from  each  of 
their  churches  settled  and  vacant,  with  an  account 
of  tlie  sums  received  from  each  ;  and  that  those  Sy- 
nods be  enjoined  to  see  that  the  said  Presbyteries 
do  their  duty  in  respect  to  this  collection.  The 
fund  thence  arising  to  be  applied  to  the  support  of 
Missionaries  to  preach  the  gospel,  organize  church- 
es, and  administer  ordinances  on  the  frontier  parts 
of  the  United  States,  and  to  no  other  purpose  what- 
ever, save  that  each  fund  shall  be  equally  charged 
with  the  expense  of  the  necessary  printing  done  by 
order  of  the  General  Assembly. 

6.  This  Assembly,  presuming  on  the  concur- 
rence of  its  successors,  do  resolve,  lastly,  that  there 
shall  be  printed  annually,  or  as  often  as  shall  be 
thought  expedient,  a  statement  of  the  receipts  and 
expenditures  arising  from  said  collections ;  in 
which  shall  be  detailed  all  the  churches  settled  and 
vacant,  the  sum,  (if  any)  received  from  each,  for 
what  purpose  received,  and  how  applied.  And  that 
each  Presbytery  shall  be  furnished  with  at  least  as 
many  copies  as  there  are  churches  subordinate 
thereto,  to  b^  transmitted  to  the  churches  for  their 
information  and  satisfaction.  All  which  is  sub- 
mitted, &c.-^'-Yol.  I.  p.  38-40. 

Sect.  2.  A  Flan  for  managing  the  funds  pro- 
posed by  the  Trustees,  in  1800. 

0  2 


162  OF    THE    FUN'DS,  &C.  [PAKT  VI. 

The  Assembly  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
subjects  contained  in  the  communication  of  the  cor- 
poration for  managing  their  funds,  and  agreed  that 
the  following  objects  deserve  consideration  :  viz. 

1st.  The  gospelizing  of  the  Indians  on  the  fron- 
tiers of  our  country — connected  with  a  plan  for 
their  civilization,  the  want  of  which,  it  is  believed, 
lias  been  a  great  cause  of  the  failure  of  former  at- 
tempts to  spread  Christianity  among  them.  The 
ideas  of  the  president  of  the  corporation,  delivered 
in  his  addres  at  their  iirst  meeting,  would  on  this 
point  deserve  a  serious  attention. 

2nd.  The  instruction  of  the  negroes,  the  poor 
and  those  who  are  destitute  of  the  means  of  grace 
in  various  parts  of  this  extensive  country:  whoever 
contemplates  the  situation  of  this  numerous  class 
of  persons  in  the  United  States,  their  gross  igno- 
rance of  the  plainest  principles  of  religion,  their  im- 
morality and  profaneness,  their  vices  and  dissolute- 
ness of  manners,  must  be  filled  with  anxiety  for 
their  present  welfare,  and  above  all  for  their  future 
and  eternal  happiness. 

3d.  The  purchasing  and  disposing  of  bibles ;  and 
also  of  books  and  short  essays  on  the  great  princi- 
ples of  religion  and  morality,  calculated  to  impress 
the  minds  of  those  to  whom  they  are  given  with  a 
sense  of  their  duty  both  to  God  and  man,  and  con- 
sequently of  such  a  nature  as  to  arrest  the  attention, 
interest  the  curiosity  and  touch  the  feelings  of  those 
to  whom  they  are  given. 

4th.  The  provision  of  a  fund  for  the  more  com- 
plete instruction  of  candidates  for  the  gospel  minis- 
try previously  to  their  licensure.  The  w  ant  of  this 
having  been  a  subject  of  general  inconvenience,  it 
would  deserve  consideration,  whether  it  would  not 


€HAF.  I.]  THE  MISSIONARY  FUND.  163 

be  both  easy  and  practicable  to  appoint  a  number 
of  professors  of  theology,  (perhaps  one  in  each  Sy- 
nodj)  to  whom  the  candidates  might  resort  as  a  mat- 
ter of  choice,  though  not  of  necessity  ;  which  pro- 
fessors might  immediately  be  provided  with  a  suit- 
able library,  (the  property  of  the  corporation,)  and 
receive  a  small  salary,  to  be  augmented  as  their 
labours  increase  and  the  funds  are  extended.  It 
would  be  a  most  desirable  extension  of  this  plan, 
if  the  funds  could  be  rendered  adequate  to  fur- 
nish partly  or  wholly  the  means  of  subsistence  to 
the  candidates  for  the  ministry  who  may  need  such 
assistance,  during  the  time  of  their  attendance  on 
the  professors. 

As  to  the  means  and  methods  by  which  the  funds 
necessary  to  the  compassing  of  these  objects  may 
he  provided,  the  following  ideas  are  suggested  : 

1st.  The  continuance  of  the  annual  contribu- 
tions which  are  now  ordered,  and  which,  it  may  be 
fairly  presumed,  will  be  abundantly  more  produc- 
tive than  they  now  are,  when  it  is  known  that  the 
objects  here  specified  are  in  the  viev/  of  the  As- 
sembly. For  it  has  been  found  by  experience  that 
there  is  among  the  people  generally  a  great  readi- 
ness and  freedom  to  contribute,  and  that  with  libe- 
rality, to  the  promotion  of  every  plan  calculated  to 
spread  the  gospel  among  those  who  are  deprived  of 
its  blessings. 

2nd.  The  appointment  of  two  or  more  suitable 
persons  to  travel  through  the  country  to  solicit  and 
receive  donations  for  the  purposes  that  have  been 
mentioned. — The  expenses  of  such  persons  to  be 
paid  them,  a  small  compensation  to  be  allowed 


164  0F    THE   FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

them,  and  if  ministers^  the  supplying  of  theiv  pul- 
pits during  their  absence  to  be  provided  for.  The 
prospect  of  a  very  considerable  augmentation  of 
the  funds,  if  this  measure  were  adopted,  appears 
flattering. 

3d.  The  aid  that  may  be  reasonably  expected, 
from  persons  of  property,  piety  and  benevolence 
contributing,  by  testamentary  bequests,  and  unsoli- 
cited donations,  (after  the  example  of  the  president 
of  the  corporation,)  to  the  promotion  of  such  impor- 
tant and  interesting  objects  as  those  which  are  here 
detailed. 

4th.  It  is  not  impossible,  nor  perhaps  improba- 
ble, that  if  expmence  should  demonstrate  the  prac- 
ticability and  ntility  of  the  measures  contemplated, 
the  people  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination  might 
generally  be  persuaded  to  make  an  annual  dona- 
tion (say  25  cents  each)  to  render  them  more  exten- 
sively effective ;  and  this  of  itself  would  go  very  fiir 
towards  providing  a  fund  adequate  to  all  the  ex- 
penses contemplated. 

In  connexion  with  what  has  already  been  stated, 
the  following  ideas  deserve  attention. 

1st.  That  not  the  least  alteration  is  wished  or 
contemplated  in  the  plan  already  in  operation  for 
sending  missionaries  to  the  frontiers.  This  plan 
is  both  useful  and  popular.  All  that  shall  be  at- 
tempted is  to  be  considered  as  additional  to  it. 

2nd.  That  in  consistency  with  this,  it  may  de- 
serve serious  consideration  whether  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  Indians,  the  black  people,  and  other 
persons  unacquainted  with  the  principles  of  our 
holy  religion,  an  order  of  men  under  the  character 


tJHAP.  1.]  THE  MISSIONARY  FUND.  165 

of  catecliists  might  not  be  instituted,  from  among 
men  of  piety  and  good  sense,  but  without  a  liberal 
education.  Not  that  these  men  should  be  clothed 
Avith  clerical  functions,  but  that  they  confine  them- 
selves to  the  private  instruction  of  those  among 
whom  they  are  sent,  together  with  occasional  ad- 
dresses of  a  religious  kind,  made  to  collections  of 
people  that  may  assemble  for  this  purpose,  and 
leading  the  devuliuiial  cAcrcises  among  them,  and 
this  with  a  view  to  prepare  the  way  for  a  few  re- 
gular and  ordained  ministers  to  follow  after  them 
to  organize  churches  and  administer  ordinances. 

The  catechists  shall  be  carefully  examined  by 
the  Presb;^i;eries  to  whose  bounds  they  most  natu- 
rally belong,  in  regard  to  their  qualifications  for 
the  work  to  be  assigned  them ;  they  shall  have  a 
certificate  of  such  examination,  and  the  recommen- 
dation of  the  Presbytery  where  it  has  been  taken ; 
they  shall  be  directed  by  the  Presbytery  where 
they  are  to  labor ;  and,  without  a  compliance  with 
these  directions,  they  shall  not  be  considered  as  au- 
thorized to  act  in  the  manner  here  contemplated. 

Ordered^  That  the  foregoing  statement  be  pub- 
lished in  the  extracts  of  minutes  for  the  current 
year,  that  the  judicatures  and  people  at  large  under 
the  care  of  the  Assembly  may  be  acquainted  mth 
the  views  and  wishes  of  their  highest  judicature. 
But  the  Assembly  neither  judge  it  expedient  them- 
selves to  attempt  to  carry  into  immediate  effect  all 
that  is  here  suggested,  nor  to  urge  on  their  judica- 
tures and  people  to  attempt  it.  Some  things  only 
that  are  here  specified  will  be  entered  on  by  this 
Assembly  ;  and  the  judicatures  and  people  will 
judge  for  themselves   what  other  objects  it  may 


166  OF    THE    FUNDS^  &C.  [pART  VI. 

be  proper  for  them  voluntarily  to  regard.  It  is 
however  considered  expedient  by  the  Assembly, 
that  no  catechists  should  be  sent  out,  till  a  further 
order  on  the  subject  be  issued  by  the  General  As- 
sembly. 

The  address  of  the  president  of  the  corporation 
of  the  General  Assembly  delivered  to  the  board, 
having  been  read  yesterday,  on  motion  resolmd 
that  the  thanks  of  this  house  he  given  to  him  for 
the  information  contained  in  the  said  address. 

Resolved,  TJiat  Dr.  Green,  Dr.  Tennent,  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Clark,  William  Hill,  Robert  Cath- 
cart  and  Woodhull  of  Newton,  or,  in  case  of  his 
failure,  Revd.  George  Faitoute,  be  appointed  to 
solicit  donation  in  behalf  of  the  trustees  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  during  the  ensuing  year  ;  and  that 
their  expenses  be  paid,  by  the  said  trustees,  and 
their  compensation  be  made  out  of  the  monies  to 
be  by  them  collected  :  That  each  of  the  Presbyte- 
ries to  which  the  said  persons  belong,  take  order 
to  supply  their  pulpits  in  their  absence  :  That  the 
members  of  this  Assembly  generally,  and  all  the 
clergy  of  our  denomination  within  our  bounds,  do 
aid  the  exertions  of  those  who  shall  go  on  this  busi- 
ness. That  these  orders  however,  be  not  consi- 
dered as  extending  to  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas, 
nor  to  the  commission  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia  west 
of  the  Alleghany  mountains ;  but  that  the  brethren 
comprehended  in  this  exception,  be,  and  they  are 
hereby,  directed  to  bring  those  objects  distinctly  be- 
fore the  judicatures  and  individual  ministers  under 
their  care,  and  take  such  measures  to  advance  the 
purposes  specified  as  to  themselves  shall  appear 
best,  and  make  an  accurate  report  thereon  to  the 
next  General  Assembly. 


CHAP.  I.]  THE  MISSIONARY  FUND.  167 

Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  of  Albany  and 
Hudson,  take  measures  for  appointing  agents 
within  their  bounds  respectively  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  subscriptions  and  receiving  money  for  the 
funds  of  the  General  Assembly. — Vol.  I.  p.  225- 
227. 


Sect.  3.      Annual  collections  recommended,  in 
1804. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Pres- 
byteries, to  continue  their  exertions  to  procure  and 
forward  annual  collections  from  the  churches  un- 
der their  care  ;  and  that  those  who  have  been  in  any 
measure  deficient  pay  a  special  attention  to  this 
subject.  If  each  congregation  shall  punctually  make 
one  annual  collection,  '^  as  the  Lord  hath  prosper- 
ed them,''  and  seasonably  forward  it  to  the  Trea- 
surer ;  and  if  this  uniformity  shall  have  grown  into 
habit,  the  labor  of  Assemblies  and  Presbyteries 
w  ill  be  diminished ;  the  complaints  of  the  forward 
against  the  deficient  CUiurches  will  cease ;  and  seed 
will  be  sown  which  will  bring  forth  fruit  unto  eter- 
nal life.  On  the  fund  which  is  supplied  by  these 
free  will  offerings,  depend  the  Missionary  efforts  of 
the  Greneral  Assembly.  Never  was  there  a  time 
when  the  calls  for  Missionary  labours  were  so  loud 
and  so  frequent ;  and  never  was  there  a  time  when 
the  labours  of  love  for  the  souls  of  men^  promised 
such  an  ample  return. — Yol.  II.  p.  48. 


Sect.  4.     Persevering  exertions  for  increasing 
the  funds  recommended,  in  1818. 


168  OV    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  earnestly  recom- 
mend to  the  Presbyteries,  the  Churches,  and  all 
Missionary  Associations,  to  persevere  in  the  most 
zealous  and  vigorous  exertions  for  increasing  the 
funds  appropriated  to  Missions  ;  knowing  by  expe- 
rience, as  well  as  by  faith  in  God's  w  ord,  that  in 
this  all  important  concern,  their  labour  of  love  is 
not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  The  fields  demanding 
missionary  cultivation  are  rapidly  widening  before 
us  :  heralds  of  the  gospel  are  furnished  for  the 
work  in  greater  numbers  than  formerly  :  and  every 
thing  promises  a  rich  harvest  of  souls  to  be  ga- 
thered from  amongst  men  into  the  kingdom  of  our 
Redeemer. 

Sect.  5.  Instructions  in  regard  to  collections 
by  the  Assembly  of  1819. 

Mesolved, 

3d.  That  all  the  Presbyteries  be,  and  they  arc 
hereby,  requested  to  adopt  measures  for  the  taking 
up  of  collections  in  all  their  congregations,  for  the 
Missionary  Fund,  agreeably  to  repeated  instruc- 
tions of  the  Assembly. 

4th.  That  it  be,  and  it  is  hereby,  recommended  to 
all  the  Presbyteries  and  congregations,  in  making 
and  disposing  of  collections  for  the  Missionary  and 
Commissioners'  Funds,  to  appropriate  a  due  pro- 
portion to  each  Fund ;  and  also  that  the  congrega- 
tions avoid  combining  these  important  objects  with 
any  other  that  may  require  a  considerable  propor- 
tion of  the  collections  intended  for  them. 

5th.  That  the  Presbyteries  be,  and  they  are 
liereby,  informed,  that  they  are  not  to  consider  the 


CHAP.  II.]  THE  PERMANENT  FUND.  169 

formation  of  auxiliary  societies  as  exempting  them 
from  the  duty  of  taking  up  collections  for  the  As- 
sembly's Missionary  Fund. 


CHAPTER  n. 


OF  THE  PERMANENT  FUND. 


Sect,  1.     Resolutions  on^he  subject ^  in  1801. 

JL  HE  Assembly  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
communication  from  the  Trustees  of  the  Greneral 
Assembly ;  and  having  gone  through  the  same, 
thereupon,  Resolved^ 

1.  That  the  monies  obtained  in  consequence  of 
the  system  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  last  year, 
for  soliciting  contributions  for  the  support  of  mis- 
sionaries, and  for  other  objects  specified  in  their 
act,  and  all  such  monies  as  may  be  hereafter  re- 
ceived for  the  same  objects,  (except  the  customary 
annual  collections ;  which  it  is  hoped  wil]  still 
continue  to  be  made  as  usual,)  be  regarded  as  a  ca- 
pital stock,  which  shall,  at  no  time,  be  broken  in 
upon  or  diminished ;  and  that  it  be  vested,  agreea- 
bly to  a  recommendation  herein  after  made,  in  se- 
cure and  permanent  funds. 

P 


170  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

2.  That  the  interest  only  arising  from  the  ca- 
pital, together  with  the  annual  collections,  and 
other  donations  made  with  the  express  design  of 
their  being  expended  within  the  year,  be  employed 
in  supporting  Missionaries,  in  propagating  the 
Gospel  among  the  Indians,  instructing  the  black 
people,  and  in  purchasing  pious  books  to  be  dis- 
tributed among  the  poor,  or  in  maintaining,  when 
the  Assembly  shall  think  themselves  competent  to 
the  object.  Theological  Schools,  and  for  such  other 
pious  and  benevolent  purposes  as  may  hereafter  be 
deemed  expedient. 

3.  That,  in  order  to  encourage  farther  contribu- 
tions for  the  pious  ends  heretofore  mentioned,  and 
to  satisfy  the  public  mind  with  regard  to  the  wise 
and  faithful  application  of  the  monies  already  ob- 
tained, the  Assembly  will  publish  yearly,  along 
with  their  printed  extracts,  a  full  and  particular  ac- 
count of  all  the  contributions  received,  and  of  all 
appropriations  made. — Yol.  I.  p.  265,  266. 


CRAY,  in.]      THE  commissioners'  FUND.  171 


CHAPTER  III. 


OF  THE  COMMISSIONERS'  FUND, 


Sect.  1.  A  Plan  for  raising  a  fund  adopted 
in  1807. 

JL  HE  Presbyteries  were  called  upon  to  report  on 
the  plan  for  raising  a  fund  for  defraying  the  ex- 
penses of  Commissioners  to  the  Assembly,  propo- 
sed and  transmitted  by  the  last  Assembly  to  the 
Presbyteries  for  their  consideration ;  and  from  their 
reports  it  appeared,  that  a  majority  of  the  Presby- 
teries had  approved  of  the  plan.*  Messrs.  Linn, 
Matthew  Brown,  Kamper,  Ely,  and  Blackburn, 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  take  the  reports  into 
consideration,  and  were  directed  to  report  as  soon 
as  convenient. 

The  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to  consi- 
der the  plan  for  raising  a  fund  for  defraying  the  ex- 
penses of  Commissioners  to  the  Assembly,  was  re- 
sumed, and  the  reading  of  it  by  paragraphs  was 


♦  For  the  overture  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries,    See  Vol.  II.  p» 

186—190. 


172  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [FART  Y1. 

finished.    The  report  being  amended  was  adopted, 
and  is  as  follows  : 

1.  Resolved  J  That  as  the  General  Assembly  is 
not  only  the  supreme  judicature,  but  the  essential 
bond  of  union  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  it  is  equally  incum- 
bent on  every  part  of  that  Church  to  maintain 
its  existence  and  respectability,  and  to  bear  a 
just  proportion  of  all  the  expense  necessary  to  that 
end. 

2.  Resolved^  That  the  practice  which  has  hi- 
therto obtained,  of  each  Presbytery  defraying  the 
expense  of  its  own  commissioners  to  the  Assembly, 
or  permitting  commissioners  to  bear  the  whole,  or 
a  large  part  of  their  own  expenses,  is  not  equal 
or  just;  inasmuch  as  it  obliges  the  remote  Pres- 
byteries, and  their  commissioners,  to  bear  a  bur- 
den, many  times  greater  than  that  which  falls  on 
those  near  to  the  place  at  which  the  General 
Assembly  convenes ;  when  the  duty  to  be  dis- 
charged by  both  is  precisely  the  same,  and  ought 
not  to  be  more  oppressive  to  one  than  to  the  other : 
therefore, 

3.  Resolved,  That  a  fund  be  constituted,  under 
the  direction  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  which  all 
parts  of  the  church  shall  contribute,  and  out  of 
which  all  the  commissioners  to  the  Assembly 
shall  be  punctually  paid,  agreeably  to  an  equitable 
estimate  of  the  expenses  necessarily  incurred  by 
each. 

4.  Resolved,  That  this  fund  shall  never  be  blen- 
ded with  that  which  is  already  established  and  ap- 
propriated to  missionary  purposes;  but  that  the  As- 
sembly do  hereby  pledge  themselves  to  keep  these 


CHAP.  III.]       THE  commissioners'  FUND.  178 

two  funds,  at  all  times,  entirely  separate  and  dis- 
tinct ;  so  that  tbey  shall  not,  on  any  occasion,  make 
even  a  temporary  draught  on  the  one,  to  supply  the 
deficiences  ©f  the  other. 

5.  Resolved^  That  each  commissioner  to  the 
General  Assembly  shall  receive,  out  of  the  common 
fund,  two  dollars  for  every  thirty  miles  which  he 
shall  necessarily  travel,  in  coming  to  and  in  return- 
ning  from  the  Assembly ; — and  if  in  any  year,  the 
fund  be  not  adequate  to  pay  all  the  commissioners 
at  this  rate,  another  ratio  to  w  hich  the  fund  shall 
be  adequate,  shall  be  assumed,  ageeeably  to  which, 
each  member  shall  be  paid  according  to  the  dis- 
tance he  shall  travel. 

6.  Resolved^  That  all  the  congregations,  under 
the  care  of  the  General  Assembly,  contribute  pe- 
cuniary aid  to  the  fund  herein  contemplated,  either 
by  raising  an  annual  contribution,  expressly  and 
wholly  for  this  fund,  or  by  endeavouring  to  extend 
the  contribution  already  ordered  for  the  Missionary 
fuud,  and  then  making  an  equitable  division  be- 
tween the  two  funds. 

7.  Resolved,  That  in  those  congregations,  where 
only  one  contribution  is  made,  the  session  of  each 
congregation  may  divide  said  contribution  and  de- 
termine what  part  of  the  sum  contributed  shall  go 
to  each  fund  respectively ;  but  if  any  session  shall 
not  make  and  report  to  Presbytery,  a  division  of 
the  contribution  herein  ordered,  the  Presbytery 
shall  divide  the  contribution  of  such  congregation, 
and  assign  to  each  fund  the  proportion  thereof 
which  they  shall  judge  equitable. 

8.  Resolved,  That  every  Presbytery  be  careful, 
annually  to  send  forward  by  their  commissioners 

P  2 


174  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

to  the  General  Assembly^  the  sums  which  shall 
have  been  collected  within  the  bounds  of  each 
Presbytery  respectively,  for  the  commissioners' 
fund ;  wliicli  shall  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the 
treasurer  of  the  trustees  of  the  Assembly  :  and  the 
said  trustees  are  hereby  requested  to  direct  their 
treasurer,  annually  at  an  early  period  of  the  ses- 
sions, to  present  to  the  Assembly  the  amount  re- 
ceived from  each  Presbytery,  and  (as  far  as  may 
be  practicable,)  from  every  congregation  within  the 
same. 

9.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  shall  annually 
inquire  of  the  commissioners  from  each  Presby- 
tery, what  has  been  done  the  year  past,  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Presbytery  to  which  the  commis- 
sioners respectively  belong,  to  carry  into  effect  the 
design  of  the  Assembly  in  these  resolutions. 

10.  Resolved,  That  whereas  it  is  manifestly  in- 
equitable that  those  parts  of  the  church,  which  will 
not  contribute  to  the  important  object  of  these  re- 
solutions; should  receive  benefit  from  the  contribu- 
tions of  others ;  if  it  shall  appear,  on  inquiry,  that 
any  Presbytery  has  been  manifestly  inattentive  to 
the  duty  herein  enjoined,  so  that  the  congregations 
generally,  within  its  bounds,  shall  not  have  raised 
their  reasonable  proportion  of  the  sum  necessary  to 
constitute  and  support  the  commissioners'  fund^ 
the  commissioners  from  the  Presbytery  shall,  for 
the  year  in  which  such  manifest  inattention  and 
deficiency  shall  appear,  receive  out  of  the  commis- 
sioners' fund,  only  the  sum  which  they  have  con- 
tributed to  it: — at  all  times,  however,  the  General 
Assembly  will  make  a  candid  allowance  for  those 
circumstances   of  any  Presbyteries  or  congrega- 


CHAP.  III. J       THE  commissioners'  FUND.  175 

tions,  which  ought,  in  equity,  to  abate  the  ex- 
pectations of  much  pecuniary  aid  from  their  exer- 
tions. 

Resolved,  That,  if  it  shall  happen  in  process 
of  time,  that  the  fund  raised,  in  consequence  of  these 
resolutions,  shall  exceed  the  sum  necessary  to  se- 
cure the  payment  of  the  expenses  of  the  Commis- 
sioners, the  surplus  shall  (at  the  end  of  every  fifth 
year,  reckoning  from  the  first  year  that  the  surplus 
shall  occur,)  be  paid  into  the  Missionary  fund ;  and 
that  in  disposing  of  this  surplus,  the  Assembly 
will  remit  to  the  several  Synods  that  manage  the 
missionary  business  separately,  their  proportion  of 
such  surplus,  to  be  determined  by  the  ratio  of  their 
respective  contributions  to  this  fund. 

Resolved^  That  it  be,  and  it  hereby  is,  earnestly 
recommended  not  only  to  all  the  Presbyteries,  but 
to  all  the  ministers  under  the  care  of  the  General 
Assembly,  to  endeavour  to  explain  to  their  people 
the  equity,  the  importance  and  the  necessity  of 
contributing  to  the  Commissioners'  fund: — show- 
ing them,  that  without  spirited  exertions  to  raise 
money  for  this  fund,  there  is  imminent  danger  that 
the  harmony  of  our  church  will  be  destroyed,  and 
its  capacity  of  acting  in  concert  with  efficiency,  in 
all  its  great  and  interesting  measures  for  promoting 
the  gospel,  will  speedily  be  terminated. — Yol.  II, 
p.  221,  224. 

Sect,  2.    An  inj unction  of  the  Assembly  in  rela- 
tion to  this  fund^  in  1812. 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  view,  with  con- 
cern, the  manifest  inattention  of   many  of  the 


176  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [pART  VI. 

Presbyteries  to  raising  and  forwarding  their  rea- 
sonable proportions  to  the  Commissioners'  Fund. 
Ill  consequence  of  which  the  Assembly  foresee, 
that,  if  this  inattention  continue,  the  remoter  parts 
of  the  churches,  pressed  with  an  unequal  burden, 
from  the  circumstance  of  their  distance,  will  have 
but  a  very  small  representation,  in  the  future  meet- 
ings of  the  Assembly  ;  and  that  thereby  the  gi^eat 
objects  of  the  Assembly,  the  preserving  the  union 
of  the  churches,  and  cherishing  their  interests  in 
every  part,  however  remote,  will  be  greatly  im- 
peded, and,  perhaps,  finally  defeated. 

Resolved^  therefore,  that  it  be  enjoined,  and  it 
is  hereby  enjoined  on  the  Presbyteries,  under 
the  care  of  the  Assembly,  and  especially  on  those 
that  have  been  deficient,  to  pay  a  particular  at- 
tention to  this  duty  in  future. — Vol.  III.  p.  70. 


CHAP.  IV.]  THE  SEMlNARY^S  iUNl).  lT7 


CHAPTER  IV. 


SF  THE  SEMINARY'S  FUND- 


Sect.  1.     •!  general  statement. 


d 


x^  ROM  the  year  1810,  when  the  Assembly  de- 
termined to  establish  a  Tiieological  Seminary,  to 
the  present  time,  agents  have  been  annually  com- 
missioned for  the  purpose  of  collecting,  from  the 
pious  and  liberal,  donations,  both  in  books  and  in 
money,  for  tlie  support  of  this  important  institu- 
tion. Besides  meeting  the  current  expenses,  the 
money  collected  by  the  agents  has  enabled  the  As- 
sembly to  erect,  at  Priuceton,  New  Jersey,  a  large, 
neat  and  commodious  edifice,  which,  when  com- 
pleted, will  accommodate  one  hundred  students. — 
See  Printed  Ext.  from  1810  to  1819. 

The  establishment  of  a  permanent  fund  for  the 
support  of  the  Professors  is  now  contemplated  by 
tlie  Assembly  as  an  object  of  peculiar  desire.  To 
an  object  so  important,  it  is  hoped,  pious  and 
liberal  individuals  will  devote  a  part  of  their 
wealth. 


178  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

Sect.  2.  The  formation  of  Societies  recom- 
mended, in  1814. 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  con- 
sideration of  several  resolutions  contained  in  the 
report  of  the  Directors  of  the  Theological  Semina- 
ry, reported  the  following  resolutions,  which  were 
adopted  :  viz. 

Resolved,  1.  That  it  he,  and  it  hereby  is,  earn- 
estly recommended  to  the  congregations  in  connex- 
ion with  this  Assembly,  to  countenance  and  promote 
the  formation  of  societies  in  aid  of  the  Theological 
Seminary ; — that  such  societies  when  formed  re- 
port themselves  to  the  Rev.  John  M^Dowel,  of 
Elizabeth-town,  New-Jersey,  Secretary  to  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Seminary,  and  forward 
the  monies  collected  by  them  to  Mr.  Isaac  Snow- 
den,  of  Philadelphia,  Treasurer  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  Assembly. — Vol.  III.  p.  157. 

Sect.  3.  A  Plan  for  Societies  recommended, 
in  1814. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  and  report 
a  plan  for  forming  Societies  to  aid  the  funds  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  reported:  and  their  report 
being  read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows;  viz. 

It  is  a  fact  well  known,  that  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  instituted  sometime  since  a 
Theological  Seminary,  for  the  great  and  good  piu*- 
pose  of  securing  to  the  Church  of  Christ  a  compe- 


CHAP.  IV.]  THE  seminary's  FUND.  179 

tent  supply  of  learned  and  evangelical  ministers. 
Their  harvest  truly  is  great,  and  greatly  increasing, 
and  the  labourers  few.  The  truth  of  this  remark 
is  established  by  the  consideration,  that  four  hun- 
dred organized  congi^egations  within  their  limits 
are  not  yet  steadily  supplied  with  gospel  ordinan- 
ces. Their  missionary  ground  on  the  frontiers,  as 
also  among  the  Indians  and  Blacks,  is  very  exten- 
sive. While  God  in  his  providence  is  inclining  an 
unusual  number  of  our  pious  young  men  to  conse- 
crate their  lives  and  talents  to  the  service  of  the 
Sanctuary,  and  the  means  of  their  classical  educa- 
tion, by  the  exertions  of  the  friends  of  Zion,  are 
constantly  increasing,  shall  they  be  left  unprepared 
for  the  great  work  of  the  Lord,  for  the  want  of 
proper  theological  instruction  ?  Shall  they  long  in 
vain  for  this  holy  employment?  Shall  so  great  a 
portion  of  our  churches,  and  our  frontier  settle- 
ments be  suffered  to  lie  desolate  and  in  ruins,  when 
the  means  of  qualifying  them  for  this  employment 
are  obviously  within  our  power  ? 

It  is  conceived  that  no  man  who  loves  his  coun- 
try, or  who  loves  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
souls  of  men,  in  sincerity,  can  want  motives  to  in- 
duce him  to  lend  his  aid  in  accomplishing  an  ob- 
ject so  immensely  important. 

With  sanguine  hopes  of  success,  therefore,  the 
General  Assembly  proffer  their  claims  to  the  cha- 
rity of  those  who  feel  an  interest  in  the  support  of 
our  invaluable  civil  and  political  Institutions.  Eve- 
ry free  government,  constituted  like  ours,  depends 
primarily  and  essentially,  for  its  existence,  on  the 
moral  principles  and  habits  of  the  people.  Where 
the  word  of  life  is  not  statedly  preached,  and  the 


180  OF   THE    FUNDS,  &C-  [PART  VI. 

ordinances  of  tlie  Gospel  administered,  the  sab 
bath  of  the  Lord  will  be  profaned ;  and  experience 
proves  uniformly  and  unequivocally,  that  idleness, 
intemperance,  gambling,  and  ungovernable  licen- 
tiousness, both  in  principles  and  conduct  are  the 
inevitable  consequences.  Will  then  the  lovers  of 
rational  liberty,  will  the  friends  of  our  beloved 
country,  refuse  to  contribute  a  pittance  of  the  sub- 
stance which  Grod  has  entrusted  to  them,  to  so 
noble  an  object?  to  secure  to  themselves  and  to 
their  children,  and  even  to  their  children's  chil- 
dren, the  inestimable  privileges  which  were  pur- 
chased by  the  sufferings,  and  transmitted  to  them, 
by  the  wisdom  and  labours  of  their  fathers.  It  is 
confidently  believed  that  few  will  be  found,  who 
duly  appreciate  the  worth  of  their  own  souls  and 
of  the  souls  of  their  fellow  sinners,  who  will  not 
cheerfully  do  something  for  Christ ;  something  to 
advance  the  cause  of  his  heritage,  when  they  con- 
sider that  it  is  He  who  loved  them,  and  died  to 
redeem  them.  Remember,  brethren,  that  all  which 
you  posses  is  the  i^ord's  ;  and  if  you  devote  a  por- 
tion of  what  he  has  given  you  to  his  service,  he 
can  easily  increase  the  remainder  an  hundred  fold. 
The  righteous  giveth  and  spareth  not.  Remem- 
ber also  the  divine  promise,  that  he  that  giveth  to 
to  the  poor  shall  not  lack;  and  that  our  Saviour 
himself  hath  declared,  ^<It  is  more  blessed  to  give 
than  to  receive.''  It  is  but  little  that  is  asked  of 
you.  Come  then,  beloved  brethren,  cast  your  mite 
into  the  treasury  of  the  Lord;  and  the  blessed  ef- 
fects of  your  charity,  it  is  trusted,  will  be  experi- 
enced by  thousands,  when  you  and  your  children 
shall  be  sleeping  in  your  graves. 


CHAP.  IV.  j  THE  seminary's  FUND.  181 

The  General  Assembly  earnestly  recommend  to 
the  several  congregations  in  their  connexion  the 
formation  of  societies  for  the  above  purpose.  And 
they  solicit  especially  ministers  and  elders  strenu- 
ously to  exert  themselves  to  form  one  such  society 
with  their  own  congregation.  The  Assembly  can- 
not but  flatter  themselves  that  their  recommenda- 
tion will  be  generally  regarded ;  and  they  are  con- 
fident^ should  this  be  the  fact,  that  ample  means 
will  be  furnished  for  the  accomplishment  of  their 
object. 

They  submit  therefore  the  following  plan,  as  the 
one  most  likely,  in  their  opinion,  to  meet  with  suc- 
cess. 

Article  1.  This  society  shall  be  denominated — 
Society  for  aiding  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the 
General  Assembly. 

2.  Any  person  may  become  a  member  of  this 
Society  by  subscribing  and  paying  the  sum  of  one 
dollar,  and  may  continue  a  member  by  paying  the 
same  sum  annually.  And  any  person,  by  paying  at 
one  time  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars,  may  become  a 
member  for  life. 

3.  The  officers  of  the  society  shall  be  a  Presi- 
dent, Vice-President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 
and  a  committee  of  three  persons ;  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  solicit  subscriptions  to  this  institution, 
and  to  collect  the  subscriptions  which  shall  not 
have  been  regularly  paid  into  the  treasury. 

4.  There  shall  be  an  annual  meeting  of  the  so- 
ciety ;  at  which  time  the  officers  shall  be  chosen  by 
ballot,  for  the  year  ensuing,  and  a  clergyman  ap- 
pointed to  preach  a  sermon  to  the  society  at  their 
next  annual  meeting. 

Q 


182  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI 

5.  The  treasurers  of  the  several  societies  shall 
pay  annually  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Presbytery 
^vithin  whose  bounds  they  are,  such  sums  as  by 
them  shall  have  been  collected,  to  be  by  him  trans- 
mitted to  the  treasurer  of  the  trustees  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly. 

Sect,  4.  Female  Associations  recommended,  in 
1815. 

Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  have  heard  with 
lively  pleasure,  of  the  exertions  of  pious  and  bene- 
volent females,  in  some  portions  of  our  church,  to 
raise  funds  for  the  support  of  indigent  students  in 
the  Theological  Seminary. 

By  these  seasonable  exertions  many  promising 
youth  have  been  supported  at  the  Institution,  who 
otherwise  could  not  have  had  access  to  its  advan- 
tages. 

But,  notwithstanding  all  that  has  been  done,  the 
funds  are  still  inadequate  for  the  supply  of  all  the 
applicants  ;  and  through  the  past  year  several 
young  men  of  promising  talents  and  piety,  were 
prevented  from  entering  the  Seminary  for  want  of 
support.  The  Assembly  hope  that  this  fact  will 
be  sufficient  to  increase  the  number  of  female  asso- 
ciations for  the  support  of  indigent  students  pre- 
paring for  the  Gospel  ministry.  The  money  which 
such  Associations  may  raise,  may  be  applied  by 
the  Associations  tliemselves  to  such  students  in  the 
Institution  as  they  may  think  proper  ;  or  it  may 
(which  has  usually  been  done)  be  transmitted  to 
the  Professors,  to  be  appropriated  at  their  discre- 
tion. 


CHAP.  IV.]    THE  seminary's  FUND.  188 

Mesolvedf  That  tlie  Assembly  do  hereby  again 
earnestly  recommend  to  their  ministers,  elders,  and 
people,  the  formation  of  Societies,  in  aid  of  the 
funds  of  the  Seminary  in  general,  according  to  the 
plan  recommended  in  the  Printed  Extracts  of  last 
year ;  and  that  they  pay  the  money  Avhich  they 
may  collect  in  this  way  to  Mr.  Isaac  Snowden  of 
Philadelphia,  the  treasurer  of  the  General  Assem- 
blyf  and  annually  to  report  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly the  sums  which  they  may  have  paid  to  the 
Treasurer  through  the  year. 

Sect,  5.  Kesolvedy  That  the  interest  of  any  funds 
now  in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  the  General 
Assembly  for  the  support  of  indigent  Theological 
Students,  and  that  may  hereafter  accrue,  be,  and 
hereby  is,  put  under  the  control  and  subject  to  the 
order  of  the  Directors  of  the  Theological  Seminary. 
—1816.     Vol.  III.  p.  241. 

Sect.  6.  *!  Rule  relative  to  the  endowment  of 
scliolar ships,  in  1816. 

Resolved,  That  in  all  cases  of  endowment  of 
scholarships  in  the  Theological  Seminary,  where 
provision  is  not  otherwise  especially  made  by  the 
persons  endowing  the  same,  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Trustees  of  this  Assembly  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
autliorized  to  receive  the  principal  sums,  as  well  as 
the  several  annuities  destined  for  the  support  of 
s^id  scholarships  ; — and  that  under  the  direction 
of  the  said  Trustees  he  invest  the  said  principal 
sums,  intended  as  capital,  mthout  delay,  in  some 
productive  public   stock,  the    interest  on  which 


184  OF    THE    FUNDS^  &C.  [PART  VI. 

stock,  together  with  the  annuities  aforesaid,  which 
may  from  time  to  time  be  paid  into  his  hands,  he 
shall  hold  subject  to  the  order  of  the  .^'oard  of  Di- 
rectors of  the  Theological  Seminary;  and  that  he 
be,  and  is  hereby,  directed  to  keep  a  distinct  and 
separate  account  of  every  scholarship  so  endowed, 
— Yol.  III.  p.  264. 

» 

Sect,  7.  Subscription  papers  prejmredy  in 
1816. 

THE  COMMITTEE  appointed  to  devise  ways 
and  means  of  raising  funds  for  the  Theglggical 
SeminaPwY,  reported ;  and  their  Report  being 
read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  viz. 

Resolved^  1st.  That  it  be  again  earnestly  re- 
commended to  the  Minister  and  Session  of  each 
Congregation  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, to  establish  without  delay  a  Dollar  Society ^  for 
the  term  of  five  years,  in  aid  of  the  contingent  fund 
of  the  Seminary. 

2d.  That,  for  the  purpose  of  creating  a  Perma- 
nent Fund  for  the  Theological  Seminary,  two  sets 
of  Subscription  Papers  be  sent  down  to  each  Min- 
ister and  Session ;  that  the  fust  be  headed  in  the 
following  Avords  :    viz. — ''  We   whose  names  are 

hereunto  annexed^  promise  each  to  pay  to , 

for  the  Permanent  Fund  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Vresbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States,  the  sum  of  One  Hun- 
dred Dollars,  in  five  annual  instalments ;^^ — That 
the  heading  of  the  second  be  varied  from  the  first, 
by  the  insertion  of  Ffty  Dollars,  instead  of  One 


CHAP.  IV.]  THE  seminary's  FUND.  185 

Hundred ;  and  that  of  the  fund  thus  raised,  the 
interest  only  shall  ever  be  appropriated  for  the 
uses  of  the  Seminary. 

3d.  Tliat  Agents  be  appointed  to  solicit  Dona- 
tions and  Subscriptions,  in  those  Congregations 
which  have  not  yet  been  visited  by  any  Agent ;  and 
that  the  monies  thus  procured  be  placed  in  the 
Contingent  or  Permanent  Fund,  as  the  Donors  and 
Subscribers  may  direct. 

4th.  That  the  two-fold  application  to  Ministers 
and  Sessions,  mentioned  in  the  preceding  resolu- 
tions, be  accompanied  with  a  letter,  which  has  been 
prepared  on  the  subject:  and  it  is  earnestly  recom- 
mended, that  this  letter  be  read  from  the  pulpit,  in 
the  several  Congregations  under  the  care  of  the 

Assemblv. 

*' 

The  letter  was  read  by  paragraphs,  and  being 
amended,  was  adopted. 

Resolvedj  That  3000  copies  of  it  be  printed ; 
that  the  committee  superintend  the  printing;  and 
that  the  agent  for  forwarding  the  printed  extracts, 
forward  by  mail  a  copy  of  this  letter  to  each  min- 
ister belonging  to  the  Assembly,  and  that  he  for- 
ward the  remaining  copies  with  the  printed  ex- 
tracts. 


Sect,  9.  The  aid  of  Bible  Classes  invited  in 
1817. 

The  committee  to  devise  ways  and  means  to 
raise  money  for  missionary  purposes,  reported ; 
and  their  report,  being  read  and  amended,  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows  :  viz. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  by 
this  Assembly,  that  all  our  young  people,  compos- 

Q  2 


186  OF   THE   FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI* 

ing  Bible  Classes  and  Catechetical  Schools,  do 
form  themselves  into  Societies,  for  the  purpose  of 
strengthenins;  the  hands  of  tJie  General  Assembly 
in  accomplishing  their  vast  designs  of  unfurling  still 
wider  the  missionary  banner,  and  of  aiding  the  The- 
ological Seminary,  and  providing  it  with  resources 
for  a  greater  number  of  poor  and  pious  young  men, 
who  need  gratuitous  support  during  their  prepara- 
tory studies  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

Sect.  9.     Resolved,       ^,     ^     ^     ^     ^     ^     ^^ 

3d.  That  it  be  recommended  that  a  collection 
be  annually  taken  up  in  all  the  churches  under  the 
care  of  the  General  Assembly,  for  the  contingent 
fund,  or  current  expenses  of  the  Seminary ;  and  tbat 
the  various  Presbyteries  annually  report  to  the  As- 
sembly the  amount  thus  collected,  in  the  same 
manner  in  which  they  report  the  sums  contributed 
for  the  education,  commissioners,  and  missionary 
funds. 

4th.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly 
have  remarked,  with  peculiar  pleasure,  the  Chris- 
tian liberality  of  the  female  societies,  which  have 
contributed  to  the  support  of  indigent  students  in 
the  Theological  Seminary. 

Sect.  10.     Bank  J^otes, 

Resolved  J  That  it  be,  and  it  hereby  is,  enjoined 
on  all  persons  having  money  collected  for  tlie  funds 
of  the  Assembly,  that  they  endeavour  to  procure 
notes  of  the  incoi^porated  Banks  of  the  Cities  of  New 
York,  Baltimore,  or  Philadelphia,  and  that  they 


CHAP.  IV.]  THE  seminary's  FUND.  187 

bring  forward  no  notes  below  five  dollars.--^ Vol, 
II.  p.  325. 

Sect.  11.     Forms  of  Bequests, 

IN  CASES  OF  PERSONAL  PROPERTY. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America^  and  to  their  successors^ 
and  assigns,  the  sums  of  j  or  shares 


in  the  Bank  of  ,  for  any  other  per- 

sonal property,  as  the  case  may  be]  to  be  added  to 
their  permanent  fund;  and  the  clear  profits  ap- 
plied to  the  general  uses  of  the  fund,  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  said  Assembly:  OR,  to  be  applied  to- 
ward the  spreading  of  the  Gospel  on  the  frontiers 
and  in  other  destitute  parts  of  the  United  States  : 
OR,  toward  civilizing  and  instructing,  in  arts  and 
religion,  the  Indians  of  JSTorth  America  ;  under  the 
direction  of  the  said  Assembly :  OR,  toward  the 
support  of  the  Theological  Seminary  established  by 
the  said  Assembly  :  OR,  toward  the  support  of  in- 
digent students  in  the  said  Seminary. 

The  Testator  may  select  one  or  more  of  these 
objects,  or  designate  any  other  object  of  piety  and 
charity ;  and  the  corporation  are  bound  by  charter 
received  from  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
apply  the  donation  agreeably  to  his  will. 


IN  CASES  OF  REAL  ESTATE 

I  give  and  devise  to  the  Trustees,  ^c.  (as  above) 
all  that  tract  or  lot  of  land  or  tenement,  messuage 
or  other  real  estate,  as  the  case  may  be^  situate  in 


188  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

§V.  to  he  added,  §>.   (as  above)  OR,  toward^  §*c. 
(as  above.) 

Sect.  12.  .2  statement  of  the  Widoic^s  fund, 
and  the  conditions  on  ivhich  ministers  and  congre- 
gations are  admitted  as  subscribers. 

1.  Any  minister  of  the  gospel,  or  professor  in 
any  university  or  colle2:e  in  the  United  States,  be- 
ing  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination  ;  or  any  lay- 
man of  the  same  denomination,  (until  the  number 
shall  amount  to  seventy,)  may,  at  any  age,  if  in 
good  health,  become  a  subscriber  to  the  fund,  on 
paying,  as  admission  money,  if  above  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  years,  the  amount  of  his  annual  rate, 
considered  as  an  annuity  in  arrear  for  a  number  of 
years,  equal  to  half  the  excess  of  his  age  above 
twenty-eight  years,  computed  at  six  per  cent  per 
annum,  simple  interest. 

2.  The  annual  rates  or  payments  are  54,  8,  lOf, 
13i,  16,  181,  21i,  or  24  dollars,  at  the  option  of  the 
subscriber:  which,  if  in  good  health,  he  may  at  any 
future  time  increase  within  the  above  limits,  on 
paying  the  amount  of  such  increase,  considered  as 
an  annuity  in  arrear  for  a  number  of  years,  equal 
to  half  the  time  elapsed  since  his  first  subscription ; 
interest  computed  as  above.  The  rates  to  be  paid 
in  advance,  on  the  22d  of  May,  annually,  during 
the  subscriber's  life.  On  his  second,  and  every 
subsequent  marriage,  he  must  also  pay  one  addi- 
tional rate. 

3.  In  lieu  of  the  annual  rate,  a  sum  may  at  any 
time  be  deposited  in  the  fund  equal  to  the  princi- 
pal of  such  rate,  computed  at  six  per  cent,  which 
deposite  will  be  returned  to  the  family  of  the  sub- 


GHAP.  IV.]  THE  seminary's  FUND.  189 

scriber,  within  one  year  after  his  death.  Or  a  sum 
may  be  paid  into  the  fund,  not  to  be  returned,  equal 
to  the  present  worth  of  the  annual  rate,  considered 
as  an  annuity  to  continue  for  a  number  of  years, 
equal  to  half  the  diJBFerence  between  the  subscribers 
age  and  eighty- six  years,  computed  at  five  per 
cent,  per  annum,  compound  interest. 

4.  Any  Presbyterian  congregation,  or  theologi- 
cal seminary,  or  incorporated  college,  or  seminary 
of  learning,  in  the  United  States,  may  make  a  per- 
manent deposite  into  the  fund,  of  a  sum  equal  to 
the  principal  of  any  of  the  above  annual  rates,  com- 
puted at  six  per  cent,  which  shall  entitle  the  fami- 
lies of  their  ministers,  or  principal  professors,  for 
ever,  to  the  same  benefits  with  those  of  individual 
subscribers :  provided  such  minister  or  professor 
be  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination,  and  conform 
in  all  other  respects  to  the  conditions  and  regula- 
tions applicable  to  individual  subscribers. 

5.  Any  congregation,  college,  or  theological  se- 
minary, a«;  above,  may  make  a  deposite  in  favour 
of  each  of  their  co-j)astors  or  principal  professors. 

6.  If  any  minister  or  professor,  belonging  to  a 
congregation  or  seminary  which  has  made  a  depo- 
site, be,  at  the  time  of  his  first  connection  with  said 
congregation  or  seminary,  on  account  of  his  declin- 
ing state  of  health,  or  otherwise,  inadmissible  to 
the  ordinary  benefits  of  the  fund  in  favour  of  his 
family ;  then,  he  shall  receive  from  the  fund  the 
annual  interest  of  such  deposite  daring  his  incum- 
bency. 

7.  If  the  connection  between  any  depositing  con- 
gregation or  seminary  and  their  minister  or  profes- 
sor, shall  be  dissolved  by  deposition,  removal,  or 


190  OF   THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

otherwise,  he  shall  not  be  deprived  of  the  benefits 
of  the  deposite  to  his  family ;  provided  he  shall  pay 
annually  into  the  fund  during  his  life,  the  inter- 
est of  said  deposite,  or  an  equivalent  in  one  pay- 
ment. 

8.  If  any  subscriber,  Avhether  as  an  individual,  or 
in  virtue  of  a  permanent  deposite,  shall  die  before 
the  fund  shall  have  received  from  him,  or  on  his 
account,  a  sum,  Avithout  including  interest,  equal  to 
fifteen  annual  rates ;  or  shall  die  in  arrear  to  the 
fund  :  then  the  balance  shall  be  deducted  from  the 
annuities  payable  to  his  family. 

9.  The  fund  will  pay  to  the  widows  aud  chil- 
dren of  deceased  subscribers,  an  annuity  equal  to 
jive  times  their  respective  annual  rates. 

10.  If  the  deceased  subscriber  shall  have  made 
no  distribution  of  the  annuity  to  his  family,  then 
the  trustees  of  the  fund  shall  make  such  distribu- 
tion thereof  as  they  shall  judge  most  for  their  bene- 
fit ;  the  widow  not  receiving  less  than  any  of  the 
children. 

11.  The  whole  annuity  will  be  payable  to  the 
widow  and  children  for  thirteen  years,  after  the 
decease  of  the  subscriber ;  to  the  widow  alone  af- 
ter the  expiration  of  this  term,  during  her  widow- 
hood :  and  if  she  shall  marry,  then  half  annuities 
from  the  time  of  her  marriage  during  her  life. 

12.  The  annuities  will  be  paid  by  the  treasurer 
of  the  fund,  to  the  annuitants,  or  their  orders,  as 
they  shall  become  due. 

13.  No  forfeiture  can  be  incurred  by  any  ne- 
glect in  making  the  regular  annual  payments  to 
tlie  fund ;  as  the  treasurer  may  at  any  time  sue 


CHAP.  IV.]    THE  SEMINARY^S  FUND.  191 

for  and  recover   any  arrears   that  shall  become 
due. 

14.  As  soon  as  the  fund  shall  be  more  than  suf- 
ficient to  pay  all  stipulated  annuities,  with  all  ne- 
cessary charges,  then  the  surplusage,  or  part  of  it, 
shall  be  divided  among  the  annuitants,  and  dis- 
tressed ministers,  and  their  widows  and  families, 
in  such  a  manner  as  the  trustees  may  think  proper: 
particular  regard  being  had,  in  this  distribution,  to 
the  families  of  deceased  suliscribers,  in  proportion 
to  the  amount  of  their  respective  payments  into  the 
fund. 

C>  The  following  brief  statement  will ^  it  is  pre- 
sumed, afford  a  satisfactory  view  of  the  present 
flmirishing  state  of  the  above  fund,  and  of  the  great 
benefts  wliich  have  been^  and  may  still  continue  to 
be,  derived  therefrom  : 

1.  There  has  been  received  from  subscribers, 
since  the  commencement  of  the  institution,  in  1761, 
(including  deposites  for  life,  and  permanent  depo- 
sites,)  till  the  present  time.  May,  1818,  the  sum  of 
821,447,  omitting  fractions. 

2.  There  have  been  already  paid  to  the  families 
of  deceased  subscribers  870,249;  and  still  payable 
annually  81457.  It  has  been  found,  that  the 
amount  of  annuities  paid  by  the  fund  is  nearly 
five  times  that  of  the  subscriptions  received  from 

annual  contributors. 

3.  The  present  amount  of  productive  capital  in 
the  fund,  consisting  chiefly  of  public  securities,  and 
bonds  secured  by  mortgages,  exclusive  of  the  inter- 
est due,  is  840^801. 


192  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

For  a  more  full  and  detailed  view  of  the  opera- 
tions of  this  institution,  see  ^^  Extracts  from  the 
Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  United  States,  for  the  year 
1813." 

RT.  PATTERSON,    Treasurer. 


CHAPTER  V. 


OF  THE  TRUSTEES. 


Sect,  1.     The  Act  of  Incorporation. 

An  Act  for  incorporating  the  Trustees  of  the  Min- 
isters and  Elders,  constituting  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

W  HEREAS  the  ministers  and  elders  forming  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  consisting  of  citizens 
of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  others  of  the 
United  States  of  America  aforesaid,  have  by  their 
petition  represented,  that  by  donations,  bequests 
or  otherwise,  of  charitably  disposed  persons,  they 
are  possessed  of  monies  for  benevolent  and  pious 


CHAP,  v.]  THE  TRUSTEES,  19S 

purposes,  and  the  said  ministers  and  elders  have 
reason  to  expect  farther  contributions  for  similar 
uses ;  but  from  the  scattered  situation  of  the  said 
ministers  and  elders,  and  other  causes,  the  said 
ministers  and  elders  find  it  extremely  difficult  to 
manage  the  said  funds,  in  the  way  best  calculated 
to  answer  the  intention  of  the  donors  :  Therefore, 

Sect.  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania, in  General  Assembly  met,  and  it  is  hereby 
enacted  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  John 
Rogers,  Alexander  M^Whorter,  Samuel  Stanhope 
Smith,  Ashbel  Green,  William  M.  Tennant,  Pat- 
rick  Allison,  Nathan  Irvin,  Joseph  Clark,  Andrew 
Hunter,  Jared  Ingersoll,  Robert  Ralston,  Jona- 
than R.  Smith,  Andrew  Bayard,  Elias  Boudinot, 
John  Nelson,  Ebenezer  Hazard,  David  Jackson, 
and  Robert  Smith,  merchant,  and  their  successors 
duly  elected  and  appointed  in  manner  as  in  herein- 
after directed,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  made,  de- 
clared and  constituted,  a  corporation  and  body  po- 
litic and  corporate,  in  law  and  in  fact,  to  have  con- 
tinuance forever,  by  the  name,  style  and  title  of 
"  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Preeby- 
terian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America ;" 
and  by  the  name,  style  and  title  aforesaid,  shall, 
forever  hereafter,  be  persons  able  and  capable  in 
law  as  well  to  take,  receive  and  hold,  all  and  all 
manner  of  lands,  tenements,  rents,  annuities,  fran- 
chises and  other  hereditaments,  which  at  any  time 
or  times  heretofore  have  been  granted,  bargained, 
sold,  enfeoffed,  released,  devised  or  otherwise  con- 
veyed, to  the  said  ministers  and  elders  of  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the 

R 


194  OF    THE   FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

United  States,  or  any  other  person  or  persons,  to 
their  use,  or  in  trust  for  them  ;  and  the  same  lands, 
tenements,  rents,  annuities,  liberties,  franchises  and 
other  hereditaments,  are  hereby  vested  and  estab- 
lished in  the  said  corporation,  and  their  successors 
forever,  according  to  the  original  use  and  intent  for 
which  such  devises,  gifts  and  grants  were  respec- 
tively made ;  and  the  said  corporation  and  their 
successors,  are  hereby  declared  to  be  seized  and 
possessed  of  such  estate  and  estates  therein,  as  in 
and  by  the  respective  grants,  bargains,  sales,  en- 
feoflments,  releases,  devises  and  other  conveyan- 
ces thereof,  is  or  are  declared  limited  and  expres- 
sed ;  also,  that  the  said  corporation  and  their  suc- 
cessors, at  all  times  hereafter,  shall  be  capable  and 
able  to  purchase,  have,  receive,  take,  hold  and  en- 
joy, in  fee  simple,  or  of  lesser  estate  or  estates,  any 
lands,  tenements,  rents,  annuities,  franchises  and 
other  hereditaments,  by  the  gift,  grant,  bargain, 
sale,  alienation,  enfeoffment,  release,  confirmation 
or  devise,  of  any  person  or  persons,  bodies  politic 
and  corporate,  capable  and  able  to  make  the  same  ; 
And  further,  that  the  said  ministers  and  elders,  un- 
der the  corporate  name  aforesaid,  and  their  succes- 
sors, may  take  and  receive  any  sum  or  sums  of  mo- 
ney, and  any  portion  of  goods  and  chattels,  that 
have  been  given  to  the  said  ministers  and  elders, 
or  that  hereafter  shall  be  given,  sold,  leased  or  be- 
queathed, to  the  said  corporation,  by  any  person 
or  persons,  bodies  politic  or  corporate,  that  is  able 
or  capable  to  make  a  gift,  sale, -bequest  or  other 
disposal  of  the  same  ;  such  money,  goods  or  chat- 
tels, to  be  laid  out  and  disposed  of,  for  the  use  and 
benefit  of  the  aforesaid  corporation,  agreeably  to 


CHAP,  v.]  THE    TRUSTEES.  195 

the  intention  of  the  donors^  and  according  to  the 
objects,  articles  and  conditions  of  this  act. 

Sect.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  That  no  misnomer  of  the  said 
corporation  and  their  successors,  shall  defeat  or 
annul,  any  gift,  grant,  devise  or  bequest,  to  or  from 
the  said  corporation,  provided  the  intent  of  the 
party  or  parties  shall  sufficiently  appear  upon  the 
face  of  the  gift,  will,  grant  or  other  writing,  where- 
by any  estate  or  interest,  was  intended  to  pass  to  or 
from  the  said  corporation. 

Sect.  3.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  That  the  said  corporation  and 
their  successors,  shall  have  full  power  and  autho- 
rity, to  make,  have  and  use,  one  common  seal,  with 
such  devise  and  inscription  as  they  shall  think  fit 
and  proper ;  and  the  same  to  break,  alter  and  re- 
new, at  ilicir  pleasure. 

Sect.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  That  the  said  corporation  and 
their  successors,  by  the  name,  style  and  title  afore- 
said, shall  be  able  and  capable  in  law,  to  sue  and 
be  sued,  plead  and  be  impleaded,  in  any  court,  or 
before  any  judge  or  justice,  in  all  and  all  manner 
of  suits,  complaints,  pleas,  matters  and  demands, 
of  whatsoever  nature,  kind  and  form  they  may  be ; 
and  all  and  every  matter  and  thing  to  do,  in  as  full 
and  effectual  a  manner,  as  any  other  person,  bodies 
politic  or  corporate,  within  this  commonwealth, 
may  or  can  do. 

Sect.  5.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  That  the  said  corporation  and 
their  successors,  shall  be,  and  hereby  are  autho- 
rised and  empowered,  to  make,  ordain  and  estab- 
lish, bye  laAYs  and  ordinances,  and  do  every  thing 


196  OF    THE    FUND9,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

incident  and  needful  for  the  support  and  due  gov- 
ernment of  the  said  corporation^  and  managing  the 
funds  and  revenues  thereof;  Provided,  the  said  hye- 
laws  be  not  repugnant  to  the  constitution  and  laws 
of  the  United  States,  to  the  constitution  and  laws 
of  this  commonwealth,  or  to  this  act. 

Sect.  6.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
tlwmty  aforesaid,  That  the  said  corporation  shall 
not,  at  any  time,  consist  of  more  than  eighteen  per- 
sons ;  whereof  the  said  General  Assembly  may,  at 
their  direction,  as  often  as  they  shall  hold  their  ses- 
sions in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  change  one  third, 
In  such  manner  as  to  the  said  General  Assembly 
shall  seem  proper  :  And  the  corporation  aforesaid, 
shall  have  power  and  authority,  to  manage  and  dis- 
pose of  all  monies,  goods,  chattels,  lands,  tene- 
ments and  hereditaments,  and  other  estate  what- 
soever, rommittpd  to  their  car©  and  trust,  by  the 
said  General  Assembly  :  but  in  cases  where  special 
instructions,  for  the  management  and  disposal 
thereof,  shall  be  given  by  the  said  General  As- 
sembly in  writing,  under  the  hand  of  their  clerk, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said  corporation,  to  act 
according  to  such  instructions  :  Provided,  the  said 
instructions  shall  not  be  repugnant  to  the  con- 
stitution and  laws  of  the  United  States,  or  to  the 
constitution  and  laws  of  this  commonwealth,  or 
to  the  provisions  and  restrictions  in  this  act  con- 
tained. 

Sect.  7.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority  afm^esaid,  That  six  members  of  this  corpo- 
ration, whereof  the  president,  or  in  his  absence  the 
vice-president,  to  be  one,  shall  be  a  sufficient  num- 
ber to  transact  the  business  tliereof,  and  to  make 
bye-laws,  rules   and  regulations;  Provided,  that 


CHAP,  v.]  THE   TRUSTEESi  197 

previous  to  any  meeting  of  the  board  or  corpora- 
tion, for  such  purposes,  not  appointed  by  adjourn- 
ment, ten  days  notice  shall  be  previously  given 
thereof,  in  at  least  one  of  the  newspapers  printed  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia :  And  the  said  corporation 
shall  and  may,  as  often  as  they  shall  see  proper, 
and  according  to  the  rules  by  them  to  be  prescrib- 
ed, choose  out  of  their  number,  a  president  and 
vice-president,  and  shall  have  authority  to  appoint 
a  treasurer,  and  such  other  officers  and  servants,  ^s 
shall  by  them,  the  said  corporation,  be  deemed  ne- 
cessary; to  which  officers  the  said  corporation  may 
assign  such  a  compensation  for  their  services,  and 
such  duties  to  be  performed  by  them,  to  continue  in 
office  for  such  time,  and  to  be  succeeded  by  others, 
in  such  way  and  manner  as  the  said  corporation 
shall  direct. 

Sect.  8.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid^  That  all  questions  before  the  said 
corporation,  shall  be  decided  by  a  plurality  of  votes, 
whereof  each  member  present  shall  have  one,  ex- 
cept the  president,  or  vice-president,  when  acting 
as  president,  who  shall  have  only  the  casting  voice 
and  vote,  in  case  of  an  equality  in  the  votes  of  the 
other  members. 

Sect.  9.  ..Ind  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaidy  That  the  said  corporation  shall 
keep  regular  and  fair  entries  of  tlieir  proceedings, 
and  a  just  account  of  their  receipts  and  disburse- 
ments, in  a  book  or  books  to  be  provided  for  that 
purpose  ;  and  their  treasurer  shall,  once  in  a  year, 
exhibit  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  an 
exact  state  of  the  accounts  of  the  corporation. 

R2 


198  OF   THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

Sect.  10.     And  be  it  further  enacted  hy  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  That  the  said  corporation  may 
take,  receive,  purchase,  possess  and  enjoy,  mes- 
suages, houses,  lands,  tenements,  rents,  annuities 
and  other  hereditaments,  real  and  personal  estate 
of  any  amount,  not  exceeding  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars a  year  value,  but  the  said  limitations  not  to 
be  considered  as  including  the  annual  collections, 
and  voluntary  contributions,  made  in  the  churches 
under  the  care  of  the  said  General  Assembly. 
CADWALADER  EVANS,  Jun. 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
ROBERT  HARE, 
Speaker  of  the  Senate, 

APPROVED  ^ 

March  28,  1799.    3 

THOMAS  MIFFLIN, 

Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania* 


Sect.  2.  The  mode  of  choosing  the  Trustees 
adopted  in  1801. 

The  General  Assembly  took  into  consideration 
the  important  concern  of  voting  for  Tnistees  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States,  agreeably  to  the  provision  made 
in  the  sixth  section  of  the  Act  of  the  Legislature 
constituting  the  charter  of  incorporation.  After 
maturely  discussing  this  subject,  the  Assembly  re- 
solved^ that  it  is  expedient  to  adopt  and  recommend 
the  following  system: — 1.  That  when  this  subject 
is  called  up  annually,  a  vote  shall  first  be  taken 
whether,  for  the  cun^ent  year,  the  Assembly  will> 


CHAP.  V.J  THE    TRUSTEES.  199 

or  will  notj  make  any  election  of  members  in  the 
board  of  Trustees. — 2.  If  an  election  be  determin- 
ed on,  the  day  on  which  it  shall  take  place  shall  be 
specified,  and  shall  not  be  within  less  than  two  days 
of  the  time  at  which  such  an  election  shall  be  de- 
cided on. — 3.  When  the  day  of  election  arrives, 
the  Assembly  shall  ascertain  what  vacancies  in  the 
number  of  the  eighteen  Trustees  incorporated,  have 
taken  place  by  death  or  otherwise ;  and  shall  first 
proceed  to  choose  other  members  in  their  places. 
When  this  is  accomplished,  they  shall  proceed  to 
the  trial  whether  they  will  elect  any,  and  if  any, 
how  many  of  that  third  of  the  number  of  the  Trus- 
tees which  by  law  they  are  permitted  to  change,  in 
the  following  manner  :  viz.  The  list  of  the  Trustees 
shall  be  taken,  and  a  vote  be  had  for  a  person  to 
fill  the  place  of  him  who  is  first  on  the  list.  In 
voting  for  a  person  to  fill  said  place,  the  vote  may 
be  given  either  for  the  person  who  has  before  filled 
it,  or  for  any  other  person:  if  the  majority  of  votes 
shall  be  given  for  the  person  who  has  before  filled 
it,  he  shall  continue  in  office ;  if  the  majority  of 
votes  shall  be  given  for  another  person,  this  per- 
son is  a  trustee,  duly  chosen  in  place  of  the  for- 
mer. In  the  same  form  the  Assembly  shall  pr©- 
ceed  with  the  list,  till  they  have  either  changed 
one- third  of  the  trustees,  (always  including  in  the 
third  those  who  have  been  elected  by  the  sitting 
Assembly  to  supply  the  places  that  become  va- 
cant by  death  or  otherwise,)  or  by  going  through 
the  list,  shall  determine  that  no  further  alterations 
shall  be  made. — Vol.  I.  p.  252. 


200  OF    THE    FUNDS,  &C.  [PART  VI. 

Sect,  3.  The  mode  of  intercourse  between  the 
Assembly  and  their  Trustees  determined  ouy  in 
1801. 

The  committee  appointed  to  meet  a  committee  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Assembly,  to  digest 
and  prepare  a  regular  and  stated  mode  of  inter- 
course between  the  Assembly  and  the  trustees, 
made  a  report ;  which  was  read  and  approved  as 
follows  :  viz.  "  That  the  management,  and  dispo- 
sal of  all  monies,  goods,  chattels,  lands,  tenements, 
hereditaments,  and  all  other  estate  whatever,  com- 
mitted to  their  care  and  trust,  by  the  General 
Assembly,  is  invested  in  the  said  trustees;  unless 
where  special  instructions  for  the  management  and 
disposal  thereof,  shall  be  given  by  the  General  As- 
sembly in  writing  under  the  hand  of  their  clerk,  in 
which  case,  the  corporation  is  to  act  according  to 
said  instructions : 

That  an  exact  state  of  the  account  of  the  Trus- 
tees is  to  be  exhibited  by  their  Treasurer  to  the 
General  Assembly,  once  in  every  year:  Whereup- 
on it  is  recommended, 

1.  That  this  state  of  the  accounts,  be  laid  be- 
fore the  General  Assembly  as  early  in  their  ses- 
sions as  possible ;  in  order  that  the  General  As- 
sembly may  know  what  appropriations  it  may  be 
in  their  power  to  make,  or  what  instructions  to 
give  to  their  Trustees,  respecting  the  monies  in 
hand. 

2.  That  when  any  appropriations  are  made  by 
the  General  Assembly,  a  copy  of  their  minute  for 
that  purpose,  signed  by  the  Clerk,  shall  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  Trustees,  and  shall  be  their  warrant 
for  the  payment  of  any  monies  thus  appropriated. 


CHAP,  v.]  THE    TRUSTEES.  201 

3.  That  when  any  measures  are  taken,  or  any 
resolutions  adopted,  by  the  General  Assembly  or 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  which  it  concerns  the^ 
other  to  be  acquainted  with,  due  information  of  the 
same  shall  be  given,  as  soon  as  possible  to  the 
other.— Yol.  I.  p.  270. 


Sect  4.  Resolved,  That  the  Trustees  of  this 
Assembly  be  directed  to  receive  and  hold,  for  the 
use  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  the  transfers 
which  have  been  made,  or  shall  be  made,  of  pro- 
perty bequeathed  to  the  Seminary. — 1814.  Vol. 
III.  p.  157. 

See  Chap.  IV.  Sect.  5  and  6,  of  this  Part. 


PART    VII. 


®s^  magsiKDsr^ii 


CHAPTER  I. 

OF  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS. 


Sect»  1.  •^standing  Committee  of  Missions  ap- 
jjointed,  in  1802. 

XHE  Assembly^  pursuant    to  the  report  of  a 
committee, 

'' Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  chosen  annual- 
ly by  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  denominated 
^The  standing  Committee  of  Missions;^  that  this 
committee  shall  consist  of  seven  members,  of  whom 
four  shall  be  clergymen  and  three  laymen  ;  that  a 
majority  of  this  committee  shall  be  a  quorum  to  do 
business  ;  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  commit- 
tee to  collect,  during  the  recess  of  the  Assembly, 


CHAP.  I.]  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS.  203 

all  the  information  in  their  power  relative  to  the 
concerns  of  missions  and  missionaries,  to  digest 
this  information,  and  to  report  thereon  at  each 
meeting  of  the  Assembly ;  to  designate  the  places 
where,  and  specify  the  periods  during  which,  the 
missionaries  should  be  employed;  to  correspond 
with  them  if  necessary,  and  with  all  other  persons 
on  missionary  business  ;  to  nominate  missionaries 
to  the  Assembly,  and  report  the  num])er  which  the 
funds  will  permit  to  be  employed ;  to  hear  the  re- 
ports of  missionaries,  make  a  statement  thereon 
to  the  Assembly  relative  to  the  diligence,  fidelity, 
and  success  of  the  missionaries,  the  sum  due  to 
each,  and  such  parts  of  their  reports  as  it  may  be 
supposed  the  Assembly  would  wish  to  hear  in  de- 
tail ;  to  ascertain  annually  whether  any  money  re- 
mains with  the  Trustees  of  the  College  of  New 
Jersey,  which  ought  to  be  used  for  missionary  pur- 
poses, agreeably  to  the  last  will  of  James  Lesley 
deceased  ;  that  they  also  engage  a  suitable  person 
annually  to  preach  a  missionary  sermon,  on  the 
Monday  evening  next  after  the  opening  of  the  As- 
sembly, at  which  a  collection  shall  be  made  for  the 
support  of  missions ;  and  superintend,  generally, 
uncler  the  direction  of  the  Assembly,  the  missionary 
business. 

Resolved^  That  though  this  standing  committee 
shall  be  elected  annually,  yet  each  committee  shall 
continue  in  office  till  the  end  of  the  sessions  of  that 
General  Assembly  which  succeeds  the  one  by  whom 
said  committee  was  appointed. 

liesolved,  That  this  standing  committee  of  mis- 
sions, in  addition  to  the  duties  above  specified,  shall 
be,  and  they  are  hereby,  empowered,  to  direct  the 


204  OF  MISSIONS.  [part  VII. 

Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly^  during  the  re- 
cess of  the  Assembly,  to  issue  warrants  for  any 
sums  of  money  whicli  may  become  due  in  conse- 
quence of  contracts,  appropriations,  or  assignments 
of  duty  made  by  the  Assembly,  and  for  which  or- 
ders may  not  have  been  issued  by  the  Assembly  : 
and  on  this  subject  the  committee  shall  annually  re- 
port to  the  Assembly.'^ 

Agreeably  to  the  foregoing  resolutions,  the  As- 
sembly proceeded  to  elect  seven  persons  to  be 
A  standing  Committee  of  Missions;  when  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Green,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Philip  Milledoler, 
John  B.  Linn,  Jacob  J.  Janeway,  Messrs.  Elias 
Boudinot,  Robert  Smith  and  Ebeuezer  Hazard 
were  duly  chosen. 

In  consequence  of  a  suggestion  made  by  the 
iftO"     committee  of  missions,  the  Assembly, 

*^*  Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  said 
committee,  resident  in  or  near  the  city  of  Pliiladel- 
phia,  be  increased  to  ten ;  and  that  one  otlier  mem- 
fjer  be  added  from  each  Synod,  making  in  the 
whole  seventeen. 

The  Assembly,  having  elected  their  standing 
orvQ  Committee  of  Missions  for  the  present  year, 
'  did,  and  hereby  do,  enjoin  it  on  those  mem- 
bers of  said  committee,  who  live  at  a  distance  from 
the  place  where  the  committee  meet,  to  communi- 
cate to  the  committee  in  writing,  any  information 
on  the  subject  of  Missions,  which  they  may  sup- 
pose will  be  useful,  and  especially  within  the 
bounds  of  that  Synod,  to  which  these  distant  mem- 
bers may  severally  belong* 


CHAP.  I.]  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS.  205 

Sect,  2,     The  Missionary  fields 

On  motion^  it  was  Resolved^  that  notwithstand- 
ing the  reference  to  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  and 
the  Synod  of  Virginia^  with  respect  to  Missiona- 
ries, the  Assembly  may  send  Missionaries  to  labour 
in  the  bounds  of  the  aforesaid  Synods.*  1801.  Vol. 
I.  p.  262. 

Sect,  3.  Directions  relative  to  Missionary  bu- 
siness. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  report 
180S     ^^  ^^^   Standing  Committee   of  Missions, 
made  their  report :  the  same  being  under  con- 
sideration, the  Assembly  Resolved , 

1.  That  wiitten  instructions  shall  be  given  to  the 
Missionaries,  who  shall  be  sent  out  from  time  to 
time :  that  the  said  instructions  be  given  iu  the  name 
of  the  Committee  of  Missions ;  stating  however, 
that  they  have  been  approved  by  the  Assembly. 

2.  That  the  Committee  of  Missions  shall  have 
power,  on  any  emergency,  to  issue  new  instructions 
to  the  Missionaries,  suited  to  the  occasion. 

3.  That  the  committee  of  Missions  be,  and  they 
hereby  are,  authorized  to  employ  a  transcribing  clerk, 
and  to  allow  him  such  compensation,  as  they  shall 
think  reasonable. 


*  Soon  after  the  constitution  of  the  (ienei^  Assembly,  the  manage- 
ment of  the  missionary  business  within  their  own  limits  was  intrusted 
to  the  two  Synods  named  above,  in  consideration  of  taeir  remote  dis- 
tance from  the  places  where  the  General  Assembly  were  accustomed 
to  meet, 

S 


206  OF    MISSIONS.  [part  VII. 

4.  That  the  Missionaries  be  left  at  discretion,  as 
to  the  time  of  the  year,  in  Avhich  to  perform  their 
services ;  provided  their  tours  l)e  completed,  so  as 
to  enable  them  to  report,  agieeably  to  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  Committee  of  Missions. — Vol.  I.  p. 
325.  336. 

5.  That  it  be  a  standing  order  of  the  General  As- 
^807     sembly,  for  the  direction  of  the  Trustees  of 

the  Assembly,  and  the  Standing  Committee 
of  Missions,  that  the  Missionaries  be  severally  allow- 
ed a  months  compensation  in  advance,  when  the  time 
for  which  they  are  severally  employed  shall  ex- 
ceed a  month. 

6.  That  as  reasons  unknown  to  tlie  Mission- 
i«nR     ^I'i^s,  may  often  influence  the  Committee  of 

Missions  in  designating  their  routes,  the 
Missionaries  be  directed  to  pay  a  strict  regard  to 
their  instructions,  and  not  to  deviate  from  their  pre- 
scribed course,  except  where  insurmountable  obsta- 
cles occur. — Yol.  II.  p.  166. 

4Qi^         7.  That  the  salaries  of  the  Missionaries 
^^^'^'    be  FoHij  Dollars, 

8.  That  there  ought  to  be  no  anticipation  of  the 
^ftO"^     funds,  in  future ;  or  in  other  words,  that  ap- 
propriations ought  not  to  be  made  in  any 

year,  beyond  tlie  amount,  which  the  funds  arising 
in  that  year,  will  be  sufficient  to  satisfy. 

9.  That  the  Assembly  appropriate,  annually,  when 
iftOR     ^^^  funds  will  admit  of  it,  the  sum  of  One 

Hundred  Dollars,  for  the  purchase  of  reli- 


CHAP.  I.]  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS.  2Q7 

gious  books,  to  be  distributed  in  those  parts  of  our 
church  which  may  most  need  them. 

10.  That  as,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Assembly,  some 
1810     P^b^^^^^i^"^  i^  necessary  to  keep  alive  and  in- 
vigorate that  Missionary  spirit  with  which  it 

has  pleased  God  to  animate  his  Church,  the  Commit- 
tee of  Missions  be  authorized,  if  they  judge  it  expe- 
dient, annually  to  prepare  and  publish,  for  the  infor- 
mation of  the  Churches,  a  pamphlet  or  pamphlets 
entitled  " Missioriarij  Intelligence ;^^  containing  ex- 
tracts from  the  Journals  of  the  Assembly's  Mis- 
sionaries, and  information  derived  from  domestic 
and  foreign  sources. 

11.  That  the  Committee  of  Missions  be  autho- 
Acrin     rized,  in  case  they  think  it  proper,  to  apply 

to  the  General  government,  or  to  any  of  the 
particular  state  governments  for  obtaining  aid  in 
supporting  the  school  already  established  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blackburn  among  the 
Cherokee  Indians,  or  any  other  school  or  schools 
which  may  be  established  among  any  of  the  In- 
dian nations,  or  for  promoting  their  civilization  in 
general.— Vol.  II.  p.  100. 

Sect.  4.     Instructions  to  Presbyteries  and  Sy- 
nods. 

The  Assembly  directed  that  the  Presbyteries, 

AQf^c^     iu  future,  report  on  this  subject  (Missionary 

business)  to  the  Committee  of  Missions,  only^ 

and  make  their  reports  so  early,  as  to  enable  the  said 

committee,  to  avail  themselves  of  the  information, 


208  OP   MISSIONS.  [part  VII. 

and  present  the  result  to  the  General  Assembly  from 
year  to  year. — Vol.  i.  p.  319. 

JResolved,  That  it  be  again  solemnly  enjoined  on 
180Q     ^^^  Presbyteries   and   Synods,   Avitliin  the 
bounds  of  the  General  Assembly,  on  no  ac- 
count to  interfere  with  the  instructions  given  by 
the  Committee  of  Missions  to  missionaries. 

The  Assembly  renewed  their  order  to  Presby- 
IfiO^L  ^^^^^^^  ^^^  individuals  who  have  received, 
or  shall  receive  religious  books  for  distri- 
bution, to  report  annually  to  the  Standing  Commit- 
tee of  Missions,  the  distribution  made,  the  effects 
produced,  and  the  books,  if  any,  remaining  on 
hand. 


Sect  5.  The  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  resign 
the  Missionary  business^  in  1812. 

An  overture  was  received  from  the  Synod  of  the 
Carolinas,  requesting  the  General  Assembly  to  take 
upon  them  the  direction  of  the  Missionary  busi- 
ness within  their  bounds.  This  overture  being 
read,  it  was 

l^esolved,  That  the  request  of  that  Synod  be 
granted ;  but  at  the  same  time  the  Assembly  re- 
commended it  to  the  Synod  to  make  all  practicable 
exertions  to  increase  the  permanent  aud  contin- 
gent funds  of  the  Assembly^  appropriated  to  the 
support  of  Missions. 

Sect,  6.  The  Board  of  Missions  constituted^ 
in  1816. 


CHAP.  I.]  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS.  209 

The  committee  appointed  to  consider  whether 
the  Missionary  business  cannot  be  carried  on  with 
more  eiFicacy^  and  to  greater  extent,  reported ;  and 
their  report  being  amended  w  as  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows  :  viz. 

The  committee  rejoice  in  the  prospect  of  a  com- 
petent supply  of  the  word  of  God,  to  the  poor  and 
destitute  in  our  country,  by  means  of  Bible  Socie- 
ties. The  numbers  and  resources  of  these  institu- 
tions are  every  day  increasing:  so  that,  at  no  very 
remote  period,  it  is  hoped,  that  the  sun  of  revela- 
tion will  shine  on  every  dark  corner  of  our  land, 
and  irradiate  every  dwelling  however  obscure. 
The  committee  however,  instead  of  regarding  this 
as  a  reason  for  relaxing  missionary  efforts,  are  per- 
suaded that  its  proper  effect  is  to  infuse  neAV  life 
and  vigour  into  the  missionary  cause.  In  propor- 
tion as  thv  word  of  God  is  known  and  appreciated, 
will  the  preaching  of  the  word  in  its  simplicity  and 
purity  be  effectual :  in  proportion  as  the  Bible  is 
diffused,  will  missionaries  be  successful  in  organ- 
izing churches. 

That  there  is  a  wide  extent  of  country,  destitute 
of  the  ordinary  means  of  grace,  is  too  well  known 
to  be  mentioned  in  this  place ;  the  present  demand 
for  Missionary  labours,  very  far  exceeds  the  ability 
of  supply  ;  and  the  population  of  the  country  is  in- 
creasing with  such  rapidity,  that,  where  every 
place  now  vacant  completely  supplied  with  the  re- 
gular ministrations  of  the  gospel,  after  the  elapse  of 
a  year  there  would  probably  be  in  the  nation,  four 
hundred  thousand  souls  requiring  the  labour  of  a 
competent  number  of  religious  instructors.  When, 
then,  there  are  such  multitudes  at  this  moment, 
who  rarely,  if  ever,  hear  the  gospel  preached,  and 

S  2 


210  OF    MISSIONS.  [part  VII. 

sucli  mighty  additions  are  made  every  year  to  our 
numbers ;  when,  too,  great  muUiiudes,  sensible  of 
their  wants,  are  addressing  their  importunate  cries 
to  us  for  missionaries,  the  cry  for  help  of  souls 
ready  to  perish:  it  appears  to  your  committee  that 
God  and  our  bretliren  require  of  us  much  more  than 
we  have  heretofore  rendered.  We  are  longing  and 
praying  for  the  coming  of  the  day  of  glory ;  and 
perhaps  many  of  us  hope  to  see  it.  But  we  have 
no  right  to  calculate  on  miraculous  interpositions : 
and  without  a  miracle,  century  after  century  must 
elapse  before  the  earth  can  be  filled  with  the  know- 
ledge of  God.  All  t]iat  the  Christian  world  is  now- 
doing  with  united  effort,  if  continued  without  inter- 
mission for  one  thousand  years,  would  barely  serve 
to  fill  the  world  with  Bibles  and  Missionaries. 
Yet  we  are  not  to  despair.  God,  in  his  adorable 
Providence,  seems  to  have  changed,  in  these  latter 
times,  the  scale  on  which  he  liad  for  ages  conduct- 
ed the  affairs  of  his  government.  Changes  which 
formerly  were  the  work  of  years,  are  now  produ- 
ced in  a  day.  Magnificent  and  astonishing  events 
have  passed  so  often  before  the  eyes  of  men  of  the 
present  age,  that  their  minds  have  acquired  a  tone 
and  vigour  which  prompt  them  to  undertake  and 
accomplish  great  things.  We  ourselves  witness 
every  day  the  wonderful  effects  of  combined  coun- 
sels and  exertions,  both  in  the  moral  and  political 
world. 

From  the  lessons  taught  us  by  experience,  your 
Committee  have  no  doubt  but  that  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  United  States,  there  needs  only 
union  of  purpose  and  effort  to  accomplish  all  the 
plans  which  have  been  proposed,  and  even  to  go 
far  beyond  the  expectations  and  hopes  of  the  most 


CHAP.  I.]  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS.  211 

san2;iiiue.  And  this  especially,  as  so  powerful  an 
impulse  has  heen  given  to  the  Christian  community; 
and  the  impression  is  so  deep  and  universal,  that  it 
becomes  us  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to 
exert  ourselves  for  the  promotion  of  his  glory  and 
the  extention  of  his  kingdom. 

Foi'  the  purpose  of  enlarging  the  sphere  of  our 
missionary  operations  then,  and  infusing  new  vi- 
gour into  the  cause,  your  Committee  would  respect- 
fully recommend  a  change  of  the  style,  and  enlarge- 
ment of  the  powers  of  the  Standing  Committee  of 
Missions.  If  instead  of  continuing  to  this  body, 
the  character  of  a  committee  bound  in  all  cases  to 
act  according  to  the  instractions  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, and  under  the  necessity  of  receiving  its 
sanction  to  give  validity  to  all  the  measures  which 
it  may  propose,  the  Committee  of  Missions  were 
erected  into  a  Board,  with  full  powers  to  transact 
all  the  business  of  the  Missionary  cause  ;  only  re- 
quiring the  Board  to  report  annually  to  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly :  it  would  then  be  able  to  carry  on 
the  Missionary  business,  with  all  the  vigour  and 
unity  of  design  that  would  be  found  in  a  society 
originated  for  that  purpose  ;  and  at  the  same  time, 
would  enjoy  all  the  benefit  that  the  counsel  and  ad- 
vice of  the  General  Assembly  could  afford. 

With  these  views  of  the  subject,  it  is  respectful- 
ly recommended  : 

1.  That  the  style  of  the  committee  be  changed 
for  that  of  "  The  Board  of  Missions,  acting  under 
the  authority  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States.^^ 

2.  That  the  Board  of  Missions  be  enlarged-by 
the  addition  of  the  Rev.  John  B.  llomeyn,  D.  D. 
Samuel  Miller^  D.  D.  Messrs.  Samuel  Bayard^ 


212  «V    MISSIONS.  [part  VII. 

Robert  Ralston,  Robert  Lenox,  John  R.  B.  Rodg- 
ers,  John  E.  Caldwell,  Divie  Bethune,  and  Zecha- 
riah  Lewis. 

3.  That,  in  addition  to  the  powers  already  grant- 
ed to  the  Committee  of  Missions,  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions be  authorized  to  appoint  Missionaries  when- 
ever they  may  deem  it  proper ;  to  make  such  ad- 
vances to  missionaries  as  may  be  judged  necessary; 
and  to  pay  balances  due  to  missionaries  who  have 
fulfilled  their  missions,  whenever,  in  their  judg- 
ment, the  particular  circumstances  of  the  missiona- 
ries may  require  it. 

4.  That  the  Board  be  authorized  and  directed 
to  take  measures  for  establishing  tliroughout  our 
churches.  Auxiliary  Missionary  Societies ;  and 
that  the  General  Assembly  recommend  to  their 
people  the  establishment  of  such  societies,  to  aid 
the  funds,  and  extend  the  operations  of  the  Board, 

5.  That  the  members  of  tlie  Board  of  Missions, 
be  annually  chosen  by  the  Assembly ;  and  that 
they  continue  in  office  until  the  rising  of  the  next 
General  Assembly,  when  they  are  to  be  succeeded 
by  the  persons  chosen  for  the  current  year. 

Sect  7.  The  Board  of  Trust  of  the  Synod  of 
Ohio. 

A  Letter  was  received  from  the  Board  of  Trust 
of  the  Synod  of  Ohio,  informing  the  Assembly 
that  they  had  formed  themselves  into  a  Missionary 
Society,  and  recj nesting  permission  to  retain  in 
their  hands  all  the  monies  collected  within  their 
bounds  for  Missionary  purposes,  since  the  last  As- 
sembly. A  copy  of  their  constitution  accompani- 
ed their  letter.     This  communication  was  refer- 


CHAP.  I.]  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS.  213 

red  to  a  connlittee,  to  report  thereon  as  soon  as 
convenient. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  re- 
quest of  the  Board  of  Trust  of  the  Synod  of  Ohio, 
viz.  That,  in  consequence  of  the  Synod  having 
formed  themselves  into  a  Missionary  Society,  they 
be  permitted  to  retain  in  their  hands  all  the  monies 
collected  within  their  bounds  for  Missionary  pur- 
poses, since  the  last  Assembly ;  reported,  and  their 
report,  being  read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and 
is  as  follows  :  viz. 

Resolved^  That  the  request  be  granted,  and  that 
the  Synod  be  requested  to  make  an  annual  report 
of  their  Missionary  business  to  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions.— 1817. 

Sect.  8.  The  Plan  of  the  Board  of  Missions 
recommended^  in  1817. 

The  committee  appointed  to  select,  from  the  first 
report  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  such  particulars  as 
require  the  attention  of  the  Assembly,  reported;  and 
their  report  being  read,  was  adopted,  and  is  fol- 
lows :  viz. 

1.  Resolved^  That  the  Assembly  approve  and 
earnestly  recommend  to  the  Presbyteries  under 
their  care,  the  Address  and  Plan  of  the  Board  of 
Missions.  They  trust  the  church,  at  large,  will 
immediately  and  vigorously  enter  into  measures  so 
vitally  important  to  the  interests  of  religion  as  those 
recommended  by  the  Board. 

2.  Resolved^  That  the  members  of  this  Assem- 
bly be  instructed  to  procure,  and,  in  the  most  effec- 
tual way,  to  communicate  to  our  congregations,  the 
above  Address  and  Plan  5  and  that  the  great  busi- 


214  OF    MISSIONS.  [part  VII. 

7i€8S  of  tlomestic  Missions  be,  as  mi^  as  possible, 
recommended  to  the  whole  communion  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries,  and  Mis- 
sionary Societies  which  may  be  formed,  be  direct- 
ed to  take  measures  for  raising  their  funds  so  as 
not  to  interfere  with  the  annual  collections,  in  the 
churches,  in  aid  of  the  Missionary  funds  of  the  As- 
sembly. 

4.  Resolved^  That  the  Board  be  authorized,  al- 
ways, to  insert  their  Missionary  appointments  in 
the  Appendix  to  the  printed  Extracts. 

Sect,  9.  The  request  of  the  Presbytery  of  Onei- 
da, in  1818. 

The  following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Oneida,  was  overtured  :   viz, 

"  Ordered^  That  our  commissioners  to  the  next 
General  Assembly  be  instructed  to  request  the  As- 
sembly to  permit  this  Presbytery  to  manage  their 
own  Missionary  concerns." 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Presbytery  of 
Oneida  be  referred  to  the  plan  proposed  by  the 
Board  of  Missions. 


Sect.  10.  c^w  inquiry  in  regard  to  the  attention 
paid  to  the  plan,  in  1818. 

The  committee  appointed  to  report  to  the  As- 
sembly the  result  of  the  inquiry  made  of  the  Pres- 
byteries, relative  to  the  recommendation  of  the 
last  Assembly,  on  the  subject  of  the  Address  and 
Plan  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  reported  ;  and  their 


CHAP.  I.]  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS.  215 

report  being  read^  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 


VIZ. 


That  from  the  inquiry  it  appeared  that  the  Pres- 
byteries had  in  general  paid  a  laudable  attention  to 
the  subject ;  and  the  Assembly  hope  that  they  will 
persevere  in  the  important  business,  till  it  is  com^ 
pleted. 


Sect.  11.  The  plan  recommended  again  in 
1819. 

The  report  accepted  in  the  morning,  viz.  the  re- 
port of  the  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  re- 
port of  the  Board  of  Missions,  and  state  to  the  As- 
sembly the  parts  of  the  report  which  require  the 
attention  of  the  Assembly,  was  read  by  paragraphs ; 
and  being  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  viz. 

Resolved  J  1st.  That  it  be,  and  it  hereby  is,  re- 
commended to  the  Presbyteries  which  have  not  yet 
adopted  the  plan  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  to  form 
Missionary  Societies  auxiliary  to  the  Board, 
agreeably  to  the  plan  which  has  been  proposed  and 
published  by  the  said  Board,  and  recommended  by 
a  former  Assembly. 

2d.  That  the  Presbyteries  who  may  form  them- 
selves into  Missionary  Societies  auxiliary  to  the 
Board  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  instructed  to  re- 
port to  the  Board  the  establishment  of  such  so- 
cieties, and  annually  a  brief  account  of  their  ope- 
rations ;  and  that  the  same  be  recommended  to  all 
other  societies  that  may  become  auxiliary  to  the 
Board. 


216  OF    MISSIONS.  [part  VII* 

For  instructions  and  recommendations  in  regard 
to  th^  funds  necessary  for  Missionary  purposes. 
See  Part.  VI.  Chap.  I. 


CHAPTER  II. 


OF  FOREIGN  MISSION^ 


Sect,  1.      A    Committee  appointed  to  confer 
with  sister  Churches,  in  1816. 

J-  HE  Committee  further  report,  that  while  deli- 
berating on  the  subject  referred  to  them,  they  at 
first  thought  it  would  be  expedient  for  this  Assem- 
bly to  present  to  the  consideration  of  their  churches 
the  importance  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  to  direct 
the  Board  to  take  measures  for  commencing  and 
carrying  on  such  missions  ;  but,  on  mature  reflec- 
tion, they  are  inclined  to  believe,  that  the  union  of 
Foreign  with  Domestic  Missions  would  produce 
too  great  complexity  in  the  affairs  of  the  Board, 
and  render  the  pressure  of  business  too  severe  and 
burthensome.  And  this  consideration  is  strength- 
ened by  the  belief  which  they  indulge,  that  a  New 
Society  for  conducting  foreign  Missions  might  be 
formed,  composed  not  only  of  members  belonging 


CHAP.  II.]  FOREIGN    MISSIONS.  217 

to  our  churches,  but  also  of  members  belonging  to 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  to  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church,  and  other  churches  which  have 
adopted  the  same  creed.  Such  a  society  is  highly 
tlesirable  ;  and  were  it  organized  on  an  extensive 
plan,  so  as  to  call  forth  the  combined  energies 
and  charity  of  all  these  sister  churches,  it  would 
be  productive  of  beneficial  consequences,  both  at 
home  and  abroad,  to  ourselves  as  well  as  to  the 
heathen. 

Resolved ,  That  the  Rev.  John  B.  Romeyn, 
D.  D.  Archibald  Alexander,  D.  D.  Edward  Grif- 
fin, D.  D.  William  Neill,  D.  D.  and  James  Ri- 
chards,  D.  D.  and  Messrs.  Divie  Bethune,  and 
Zechariah  Lewis,  be  a  committee  to  coiTespoud 
with  the  Dutch  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches, 
and  other  churches  holding  the  same  creed ;  and 
endeavour  to  ascertain  whether  the  members  of 
those  churches  will  unite  with  those  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States,  in  the  forma- 
tion of  a  Society  for  Foreign  Missions ;  and  if 
possible  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly  a 
plan  of  a  society  to  be  established  for  this  pur- 
pose. 


Sect.  2.  The  Constitution  of  the  United  For- 
eign Missionary  Society, 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly 
to  confer  with  the  Reformed  Dutch,  and  tlie  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Churches,  and  others  holding  the 
same  creed,  on  the  subject  of  forming  a  Society  for 
Foreign  Mssions,  reported  that  they  had  met  Avith 


218  OF    MISSIONS.  [part  VII. 

committees  from  the  general  Synods  of  the  above 
named  churches,  and  agreed  on  a  plan  for  such  a 
society.  This  plan  was  submitted,  and  read  to  the 
Assembly,  and  is  as  follows  :  viz. 

^'Article  1.  This  Society  shall  be  composed 
of  the  Presbyterian,  Reformed  Dutch,  and  Asso- 
ciate lleformed  Churches,  and  all  others  who  may 
choose  to  join  them  ;  and  shall  be  known  by  the 
name  of  ''  The  United  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety.^^ 

Article  2.  The  object  of  the  Society  shall  be 
to  spread  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians  of  North 
America,  the  inhabitants  of  Mexico  and  South 
America,  and  in  other  portions  of  the  heathen  and 
an ti- christian  world. 

Article  3.  The  business  of  the  Society  shall 
be  conducted  by  a  Board  consisting  of  a  President, 
six  Vice-Presidents,  a  Corresponding  Secretary, 
a  Recording  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  and  twelve 
Managers,  to  be  annually  chosen  by  the  Society. 
They  shall  have  power  to  enact  their  own  bye-laws. 
Seven  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  4.  The  Board  shall  present  their  an- 
nual report  to  the  highest  judicatories  of  the  three 
denominations,  for  their  information. 

Article  5.  Any  person  paying  three  dollars  an- 
nually, or  thirty  dollars,  at  one  time,  shall  be  a 
member  of  the  Society. 

Article  6.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  Society 
shall  be  held  in  the  city  of  New^  York,  on  the 


Article  7.     Missionaries  shall  be  selected  from 
the  three  churches  indiscriminately. 


CHAP.  II.]  FOREIGN    MISSIONS.  219 

Article  8.  The  Constitution  may  be  altered  by 
a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present  at  an 
annual  meeting,  with  the  consent  of  the  highest  ju- 
dicatories of  the  three  denominations." 

liesolvedf  That  the  General  Assembly  approve 
the  foregoing  plan  of  a  Society  for  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, and  recommend  to  all  their  ministers  and 
people  to  give  the  measure  their  active  and  zealous 
support. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  JohnB.  Romeyn  and  Mr.  Zechari- 
ah  Lewis  were  appointed  to  meet,  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  as  soon  as  may  be  convenient,  with  commit- 
tees from  the  General  Synods  of  th^  Reformed 
Dutch,  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches^  to  carry 
the  aforesaid  plan  into  operation. 


Sect.    3.     Amendments  to  the  Constitution^  in 

1818. 

The  first  annual  report  of  the  United  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  was  laid  on  the  table,  together 
with  their  address  to  the  three  denominations  unit- 
ed in  their  society;  and  the  following  amendments 
to  the  constitution  of  said  society  were  approved  by 
the  Assembly :  viz* 

1.  That  the  third  article  be  so  altered,  as  to 
make  the  whole  number  of  managers  eighteen,  in- 
stead of  twelve,  exclusive  of  the  officers.  2.  That 
to  the  fifth  article  be  added  the  following  clause: 
viz.  And  any  person  presenting  to  the  Society  a 
donation  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  dollars, 
shall  be  a  Director  for  life,  and  entitled  to  a  geat 


220  OF   MIS^ONS.  [PARTVll. 

and  vote  in  the  Board  of  Managers.*  3.  That 
an  article  be  added,  after  the  fifth  of  the  original 
instrument,  to  read  thus  :  The  President,  Trea- 
surer, and  Secretary  of  any  Society  auxiliary  to 
this,  shall  be  ex-officio  members  of  the  Board  of 
Managers.  4.  That  the  Board  of  Managers  be 
authorized  to  fill  any  vacancies  that  may  occur  in 
the  Board. 

Resolved^  That  the  General  Assembly  do  ap- 
prove the  important  objects  contemplated  by  the 
United  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  and  recom- 
mend the  said  Society  to  the  attention  of  the  seve- 
ral Presbyteries. 


*  This  amendment  was  not  concurred  in  by  the  judicatories  of 
the  other  chupches,  and  consequently  it  forms  no  part  of  the  Consti- 
tution, 


PART    VIII. 


OF 


OF  PIOUS  YOUTH, 


Sect.  1.  The  Asseinhly  recommended  this  sub- 
ject to  the  attention  of  the  Presbyteries^  in  1806. 

A  tIE  last  Assembly,  having  required  the  Presby- 
teries under  their  care,  to  instruct  their  Oommis- 
sioners  to  this  Assembly,  on  the  subject  of  an  over- 
ture, respecting  the  education  of  pious  youth  for 
the  gospel  ministry,  &c.  the  Assembly  called  on 
their  members  to  report  the  measures  taken  by 
the  Presbyteries  which  they  represented,  on  this 
subject. 

The  Assembly,  finding  that  there  was  a  general 
coincidence  of  sentiment  on  this  subject. 

Resolved^  That  the  Moderator,  Dr.  Green,  Br. 
Nott,  Mr.  Arthur,  and  Mr.  Carrick,  be  a  commit- 
tee,    to  take  this  subject  into   consideration,  to 

T2 


222  OF  THE  EDUCATION  OF  [PART  Vlll. 

draught  and  lay  before  tlie  lioiiscj  a  minute  pro- 
per to  be  adopted  and  published  by  the  Assembly^ 
and  calculated  to  carry  the  design  into  complete 
effect. 

The  minute  reported  by  this  committee,  after 
amendment,  was  adopted  by  the  Assembly,  and  is 
as  follows : 

The  commissioners  from  all  the  Presbyteries  re- 
presented in  this  Assembly,  having  been  called  to 
state  the  opinion  entertained  by  their  respective 
Presbyteries,  on  this  subject,  it  appeared,  that  the 
overture  had  been  seriously  considered  and  higlily 
approved,  by  the  most  of  them  ;  that  some  Presby- 
teries had  long  been  in  the  habit  of  using  the  mea- 
sures contemplated  in  the  overture,  for  bringing 
forward  youth  of  piety  and  talents,  as  candidates 
for  the  gospel  ministry  ;  and  that  others  had 
adopted  and  organized  sucli  measures  within  the 
last  year,  and  in  consequence  of  the  overture  under 
consideration. — 

After  maturely  deliberating,  the  Assembly  de- 
termined, that  the  part  of  the  overture  which  relates 
to  the  selection  and  education  of  young  men  of  jjiety 
and  talents  for  the  gospel  ministry,  presents  a  plan, 
which  they  consider  as  well  deserving  their  coun- 
tenance and  support.  It  is  indeed,  an  obvious  and 
melancholy  fact,  that  the  candidates  for  the  gospel 
ministry,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  at  present,  is  greatly  disproportionate  to 
the  demand  which  is  made  for  their  services  ;  and 
that  the  rapid  increase  of  vacant  congregations,  ta- 
ken in  connexion  with  the  youth  who  are  studying 
for  the  ministry,  presents  a  most  gloomy  prospect 
of  what  is  likely  to  be  the  state  of  our  church  in  a 
few  years,  if  prompt  and  eftectual  measures  be  not 


PART  VIII.]  PIOUS    YOUTH.  223 

taken  to  furnish  a  supply  of  ministers,  much  greater 
than  the  existing  state  of  things  is  like  to  produce. 
The  Assem])ly  were  indeed,  deeply  affected  by  the 
view  which  they  had  taken  of  this  subject,  and 
were  extremely  solicitous  to  adopt  the  most  effi- 
cient measures  which  circumstances  permit,  to  re- 
medy the  evil  which  exists,  and  to  prevent  its  ang- 
mentation.  Bui,  as  the  rrcsb^tciloc  nf  which  the 
Assembly  have  the  oversight,  are  scattered  over  a 
wide  extent  of  country,  and  their  circumstances  are 
known  to  be  extremely  various,  it  occurred,  that 
an  absolute  injunction  on  all  the  Presbyteries  im- 
mediately to  enter  on  the  execution  of  the  plan 
proposed,  might  bear  hard  on  some,  if  not  be  en- 
tirely incapable  of  execution.  On  the  other  hand, 
merely  to  recommend  an  attention  to  the  plan,  with- 
out attaching  any  responsibility  to  the  neglect  of 
the  recommendation,  appeared  to  the  Assembly  in- 
compatible with  the  high  importance  of  the  subject, 
and  with  their  own  duty  as  the  guardians  of  the 
church,  bound  especially  to  provide  for  their  peo- 
ple a  supply  of  the  word  of  life.  It  was  there- 
fore determined  to  take  a  middle  course  between 
these  extremes,  so  as,  if  possible,  to  avoid  the  in- 
convenience of  both.  With  this  in  view,  it  was 
resolved  to  recommend,  and  the  Jlssemhhj  do  here- 
by  most  earnestly  recommend,  to  every  Presbytery 
under  their  care,  to  use  their  utmost  endeavours  to 
increase,  by  all  suitable  means  in  their  pow  er,  the 
number  of  promising  candidates  for  the  holy  minis- 
try— to  press  it  upon  the  parents  of  pious  youth,  to 
educate  them  for  the  church,  and  on  the  youth 
themselves,  to  devote  their  talents  and  their  lives 
to  this  sacred  calling — to  make  vigorous  exertions 
to  raise  funds  to  assist  all  the  youth  who  may  need 


224  OF  THE  EDUCATION  OF  [PART  VIII. 

assistance — to  be  careful  that  the  youth  whom  they 
take  on  their  fiinr^  >  give  such  evidence  as  the  na- 
ture of  tlie  case  admits,  that  they  possess  both  ta- 
lents and  piety — to  inspect  the  education  of  these 
youth  durins:  the  course  both  of  their  academical 
and  tlieological  studies  :  choosing  for  them  such 
schools,  seminaries,  and  teachers,  as  each  Presby- 
tpry  may  judge  most  piupcr  iiiid  ailvtiutageous,  so 
as  eventually  to  bring  them  into  the  ministry,  well 
furnished  for  their  work  : — and  the  Assembly  do 
hereby  order,  that  every  Presbytery  under  their 
care,  make,  annually,  a  report  to  the  Assembly, 
stating  particularly  what  they  have  done  in  this 
roncern,  or  why  (if  the  case  so  shall  be)  they  have 
done  nothing  in  it; — and  the  Assembly  will,  when 
rhese  reports  are  received,  consider  each  distinctly, 
and  decide  by  vote,  whether  the  Presbyteries  se- 
verally shall  be  considered  as  having  discharged, 
or  neglected  their  duty,  in  this  important  business. 
•—Vol.  II.  p.  178-180. 


Sect.  2.  TJie  Presbyteries  required  to  report 
on  this  subject  in  writings  in  1813. 

The  Assembly  exceedingly  regret  to  learn  from 
the  reports  and  statements  made  this  year,  that  so 
few  of  tlie  Presbyteries,  have  as  yet  prosecuted  with 
effect  the  important  business  of  selecting  and  edu- 
cating poor  and  pious  youth  of  promising  talents, 
for  the  gospel  ministry ;  especially  when  the  de- 
mand for  able  and  faithful  mhiisters  is  so  pressing, 
and  constantly  increasing  throughout  this  great  and 
growing  country. 

And,  whereas  there  is  a  great  deficiency  in  re- 
gular and  authentic  reports  from  several  Presbyte- 


PART  VIII.]  PIOUS    YOUTH.  225 

ries  on  this  subject ;  and  whereas  it  appeared  from 
statements  made  by  members  present,  that  some  of 
the  Presbyteries  had  not  raised  any  collections,  be- 
cause they  had  no  immediate  object  to  apply  them 
to  : — Therefore,  Resolved^  That  all  the  Presbyte- 
ries be  careful  to  transmit,  for  the  future,  written 
and  authenticated  reports  on  this  subject  to  the  As- 
sembly ;  and  that,  where  circumstances  will  per- 
mit, they  annually  raise  funds  for  this  important 
purpose,  as  well  as  diligently  seek  for  suitable 
characters,  for  their  appropriation. — Vol.  III.  p. 
121.     See  also  Yol.  III.  p.  181. 

Sect  3.  A  particular  recommendation  in  re- 
gard to  the  disposal  of  the  funds  raised  for  this 
object^  in  1817. 

The  committee  appointed  to  devise  a  plan  for 
the  disposal  of  the  funds  in  the  hands  of  certe^ia 
Presbyteries  for  the  education  of  poor  and  pious 
youth  who  have  no  objects  on  which  to  bestow  their 
bounty,  reported ;  and  their  report,  being  read,  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows  :  viz. 

llesolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  those 
Presbyteries  who  have  funds  for  the  education  of 
poor  and  pious  youth  for  the  Gospel  ministry,  or 
who  are  able  to  raise  funds  for  this  purpose,  but 
can  find  no  suitable  young  men  within  their  own 
bounds,  to  take  measures  to  obtain  them  from  the 
bounds  of  other  Presbyteries,  and  educate  them 
for  the  work  of  the  ministry ;  or  that  they  annually 
transmit  money,  for  this  object,  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, that  the  Assembly  may  appropriate  it  to 
the  object  for  which  it  was  raised ;  or  that  they 
transmit  it  to  one  of  the  Theological  Seminaries 


226  ©F  THE  EDUCATION  OF  [PART  VIII. 

within  our  bounds,  to  be  applied^  by  the  Profes- 
sors to  the  education  of  indigent  young  men  in  said 
Seminaries  :  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly  be  the  organ  of  communication  be- 
tween such  Presbyteries  as  may  have  money  to  be 
applied  to  the  above  purpose,  and  those  Presbyte- 
ries who  may  have  under  their  care  young  men  who 
shall  need  their  liberality. 

Sect.  4.  The  Assemhly  resolved  to  estahlish  a 
General  Board  of  Education^  in  1819. 

Whereas  the  General  Assembly  forms  the  bond 
of  union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  and  affords  the  acknowledged  means  of 
combining  the  intelligence,  and  concentrating  the 
efforts  of  that  denomination  :  Whereas  the  present 
state  of  our  country  most  loudly  calls  for  increasing 
energy  and  zeal  in  training  young  men  fnr  the  min- 
istry of  the  Gospel :  and  it  has  become  necessary 
to  originate  new  and  more  efficient  measures  for 
carrying  on  this  great  and  important  work ;  to  sys- 
tematize and  unite  the  efforts  that  are  now  making 
within  our  bounds :  And  whereas  it  is  desirable 
that  a  fund  be  established  under  the  direction  of 
the  General  Assembly,  which,  among  other  objects, 
might  afford  assistance  to  those  Presbyteries  and 
parts  of  the  cliurch  that  may  require  the  same : — 
Therefore,  Resolved, 

1st.  That  the  General  Assembly  establish  a  ge- 
neral Board  of  Education. 

2d.  That  it  be  recommended  that  Boards  of 
Education  be  formed  within  our  bounds,  auxiliary 
to  the  Board  of  the  General  Assembly,  as  exten- 
sively as  possible. 


PART  Vni.]  PIOUS   YOUTH.  227 

3d.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several 
Presbyteries  to  form  themselves  into  Education 
Societies^  auxiliary  to  the  Board,  and  to  adopt  the 
most  vigorous  efforts  to  accomplish  this  important 
object. 

4th.  That,  as  a  fundamental  principle,  no 
young  man  shall  be  patronized  and  assisted  by 
the  funds  of  the  Board,  who  shall  not,  in  the 
judgment  of  the  Board,  or  of  some  auxiliary  socie- 
ty, give  hopeful  evidence  of  piety  and  promising 
talents. 

5th.  That  it  be  the  object  of  this  Education 
Board,  and  its  auxiliaries,  to  assist  the  young  men 
under  their  patronage  and  direction,  to  obtain  all 
parts  of  an  education  necessary  to  their  introduc- 
tion into  the  pulpit,  including  both  their  classical 
and  theological  course. 

6th.  That  the  Boards,  auxiliary  to  the  Board 
of  the  Assembly,  shall  be  permitted  to  make  such 
arrangements  and  selections  of  places  for  the 
young  men  under  their  care  to  prosecute  their  edu- 
cation, wliether  classical  or  theological,  as  they 
may  prefer. 

7th.  That  the  auxiliaries  shall  annually  report 
their  proceedings  to  the  Board ;  and  that  the  Board 
report  to  the  Assembly. 

8th.  That  the  auxiliaries  shall  send  to  tlie  Board 
all  the  surplus  funds  in  their  hands,  which  shall 
not  be  necessary  for  those  young  men  under  their 
own  immediate  care. 

9th.  That  the  Board,  according  to  its  best  dis- 
cretion, assign  tt)  the  several  Auxiliary  Societies, 
their  just  proportion  of  the  whole  disposable  funds 
of  the  Board. 


32B  OF  THE  EDUCATION  OF  [PAUT  VIII. 

lOth.  That  Drs.  Hill,  Richards,  and  Blatch- 
ford,  with  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Martin  and  Herron, 
be  appointed  a  committee  to  digest  and  draw  up  a 
Constitution  embracing  these  fundamental  objects, 
and  to  present  it  to  this  Assembly  for  their  adop- 
tion. 


Sect.  5.     The  Constitution  of  the  Board. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution 
for  establishing  a  general  Board  of  Education, 
agreeably  to  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  As- 
sembly on  the  subject,  reported  one ;  which,  being 
read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  as  fol- 
lows :  viz. 

1st.  There  shall  be  a  general  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, known  by  the  name  of  The  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, UNDER  THE  CARE  OF  THE  GeNERAL  AS- 
SEMBLY OF  THE  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America. 

2d.  The  Board  shall  consist  of  thirty-six  mem- 
bers ;  of  whom  there  shall  be  twenty  ministers  and 
sixteen  elders,  one  minister  and  one  elder  to  be 
chosen  from  each  Synod,  and  the  remainder  from 
Philadelphia,  and  from  a  distance  convenient  to 
it.  Seven  members,  including  the  President  or 
Vice-President,  shall  be  a  quorum  to  transact  bu- 
siness. 

3d.  The  whole  number  of  members  shall  be  di- 
vided into  four  classes — one-fourth  to  be  annually 
elected. 

4th.  The  election  of  the  members  of  the  Board 
shall  be  made  by  nomination  and  ballot,  by  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly. 


PAET  VIII.3  PIOUS    YOUTH.  229 

5th.  The  officers  shall  be  a  President,  three 
Vice-Presidents,  a  recording,  and  a  corresponding 
Secretary,  and  a  Treasurer,  to  be  annually  elected 
by  the  Board. 

6th.  The  objects  of  this  Board  shall  be, 

1.  To  recognise  such  Presbyteries  and  other 
associations  as  may  form  themselves  into  Educa- 
tion Societies,  as  auxiliary  to  the  General  Board. 

2.  To  assist  such  Presbyteries  and  associations, 
in  educating  pious  youth  for  the  gospel  ministry, 
both  in  their  academical  and  theological  course. 

3.  To  assign  according  to  their  best  discre- 
tion, to  the  several  auxiliary  Societies,  a  ju§t  pro- 
portion of  the  whole  disposable  funds  under  their 
controul. 

4.  To  concert  and  execute  such  measures  as 
they  shall  judge  to  be  proper,  for  increasing  their 
funds  and  promoting  the  general  object. 

7th.  No  young  man  shall  be  patronized  or  as- 
sisted by  any  auxiliary  Society,  unless  he  shall 
produce  a  testimonial  of  his  hopeful  piety  and  ta- 
lents, from  some  Presbytery  under  whose  care  he 
shall  be  taken. 

8th.  Auxiliary  Societies  may  make  such  ar- 
rangements, and  selection  of  a  Seminary  for  the 
young  men  under  their  patronage,  as,  in  their 
opinion,  shall  be  most  eligible  for  the  prosecuting 
of  their  education,  whether  classical  or  theological. 

9th.  The  auxiliary  Societies  shall  send  to  the 
Board  all  the  surplus  funds  in  their  hands, 
which  shall  not  be  necessary  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  those  immediately  depending  on  them  for 
support. 

lOth.  Every  auxiliary  society  shall  annually  for- 
ward a  report  of  their  proceedings  to  the  Board, 

U 


230  OF  THE  EDUCATION  OF,  &C.       [PART  VIII. 

sufficiently  early  to  enable  the  Board,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be,  to  report  to  the  General  Assembly. 

11th.  The  Board  shall  have  power  to  make  such 
bye-laws  to  regulate  their  own  proceedings,  and 
effectually  to  accomplish  the  great  objects  of  their 
appointments,  as  shall  not  be  inconsistent  with  this 
constitution. 

12th.  The  Board  may  propose  to  the  General 
Assembly,  from  time  to  time,  such  plans  as  they 
may  consider  useful  and  necessary  for  the  success 
of  this  institution,  to  be  recommended  to  the  several 
societies  or  churches,  as  the  Assembly  may  think 
proper, 

13th.  No  addition  or  amendment  to  the  provi- 
sions of  this  constitution,  shall  be  made,  unless  by 
the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  of  the 
General  Assembly,  present  at  any  of  their  ses- 
sions ;  of  which  notice  shall  be  given  at  least  one 
day  previous. 


PART    IX 


THEOLOGICAL 
CHAPTER  I. 


OF  THE  PRELIMINARY  ACTS  OF  THE  ASSEM- 
BLY. 


Sect.  1.  Plans  submitted  to  the  consideration 
of  the  Presbyteries y  in  1809.. 

A  HE  Committee  to  which  was  referred  the  over- 
ture in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  a  Theologi- 
cal School,  brought  in  the  following  report;  which, 
being  read,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  of  a 
Theological  School,  overtured  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Philadelphia,  report, 

That  three  modes  of  compassing  this  important 
object  have  presented  themselves  to  their  conside- 
ration. 


232         THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.    [PART  IX. 

The  first  is,  to  establish  one  great  School,  in 
some  convenient  place,  near  the  centre  of  the  bounds 
of  our  church. 

The  second  is,  to  establish  two  such  schools,  in 
such  places  as  may  best  accommodate  the  northern 
and  southern  divisions  of  the  church. 

The  third  is,  to  establish  such  a  school,  within 
the  bounds  of  each  of  the  Synods.  In  this  case,  your 
committee  suggest  the  propriety  of  leaving  it  to  each 
Synod  to  direct  the  mode  of  forming  the  school,  and 
the  place  where  it  shall  be  established. 

The  advantages  attending  the  first  of  the  pro- 
posed modes  are,  that  it  would  be  furnished  with 
larger  funds,  and,  therefore,  Avith  a  more  extensive 
library,  and  a  greater  number  of  professors. 

The  system  of  education  pursued  in  it,  would, 
therefore,  be  more  extensive  and  more  perfect ;  the 
youths  educated  in  it  would  also  become  more  uni- 
ted in  the  same  views,  and  contract  an  early  and 
lasting  friendship  for  each  other ;  circumstances 
which  could  not  fail  of  promoting  harmony  and 
prosperity  in  the  church.  The  disadvantages  at- 
tending this  mode  would  be,  principally  those  de- 
rived from  the  distance  of  its  position  from  the  ex- 
tremities of  the  presbyterian  bounds. 

The  advantages  attending  the  second  of  the  pro- 
posed modes,  and  the  disadvantages  will  readily 
suggest  themselves,  from  a  comparison  of  this  with 
the  other  two. 

The  advantages  which  would  attend  the  third, 
to  wit ;  the  establishment  of  theological  schools, 
by  the  respective  synods,  would  be  the  following. 
The  local  situation  of  the  respective  schools  would 


CHAP.  I.]   OF  PRELIMINARY  ACTS^  &C.        233 

be  peculiarly  convenient  for  the  several  parts  of  a 
country  so  extensive^  as  that  for  the  benefit  of  which 
they  were  designed.  The  inhabitants  having  the 
seminaries  brought  near  to  them,  would  feel  a  pe- 
culiar interest  in  their  prosperity,  and  may  be  ra- 
tionally expected  to  contribute  to  it  much  more 
liberally,  tlian  to  a  single  school,  or  even  to  two. 
The  synods  also,  having  the  immediate  care  of 
them,  and  directing  either  in  person,  or  by  delega- 
tion, all  their  concerns,  would  feel  a  similar  in- 
terest, and  would  probably  be  better  pleased  with 
a  system  formed  by  themselves,  and  therefore  pe- 
culiarly suited  to  the  wishes  and  interests  of  the 
several  parts  of  the  church  immediately  under  their 
direction.  Greater  efforts,  therefore,  may  be  ex- 
pected from  ministers  and  people,  to  promote  the 
prosperity  of  these  schools,  than  of  any  other. 
The  disadvantages  of  this  mode  would  be,  the  in- 
feriority of  the  funds,  a  smaller  number  of  profes- 
sors, a  smaller  library,  and  a  more  limited  system 
of  education  in  each.  The  students  also,  would, 
as  now,  be  strangers  to  each  other. 

Should  the  last  of  these  modes  be  adopted,  your 
committee  are  of  opinion  that  every  thing  pertain- 
ing to  the  erection  and  conduct  of  each  school, 
should  be  left  to  the  direction  of  the  respective 
Synods.  If  either  of  the  first,  the  whole  should 
be  subject  to  the  controul  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly. 

Your  committee  also  suggest,  that  in  the  former 
of  these  cases,  the  funds  for  each  school  should  be 
raised  within  the  bounds  of  the  Synod,  witliin 
which  it  was  stationed.  In  the  latter  they  s'r.ould 
be  collected  from  the  whole  body  of  the  church, 

U  2 


234  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINAHY.        [pAUT  IX. 

Your  committee,  therefore,  submit  the  following 
resolution :  to  wit, 

Resolved,  That  the  above  plans  be  submitted 
to  all  the  Presbyteries  within  the  bounds  of  the 
(reneral  Assembly,  for  their  consideration,  and  tliat 
tliey  be  careful  to  send  up  to  the  next  Assembly, 
at  their  sessions  in  May,  1810,  their  opinions  on 
the  subject. 


Sect.  2.     The  Plan  determined  on^  in  1810. 

The  Presbyteries  were  called  upon  to  state 
what  they  had  respectively  done  with  respect  to 
the  recommendation  of  the  last  Assembly,  relative 
to  the  establishment  of  a  Theological  school. 

The  committee  appointed  to  present  to  the  As- 
sembly a  plan  for  the  establishment  of  a  Theolo- 
gical school,  reported,  and  the  report  was  laid  on 
the  table. 

The  Committee  appointed  farther  to  consider 
the  subject  of  Theological  schools,  reported;  and 
the  report,  being  read  and  amended,  was  adopted, 
and  is  as  follows  :  viz. 

That  after  maturely  deliberating  on  the  subject 
rommitted  to  them,  they  submit  to  the  Assembly 
flie  following  results. 

1.  It  is  evident,  that  not  only  a  majority  of  the 
Presbyteries  which  have  reported  on  this  subject, 
but  also  a  majority  of  all  the  Presbyteries,  under 
ihe  care  of  this  Assembly,  have  expressed  a  de- 
cided opinion  in  favour  of  the  establishment  of  a 
Theoloa;icai  School  or  schools  in  our  church* 


CHAP.  I.]   OF  PRELIMINARY  ACTS,  &C.    ^     235 

2.  It  appears  to  the  committee,  that  although, 
according  to  the  statement  ah'eady  reported  to  the 
Assembly,  there  is  an  equal  number  of  Presbyte- 
ries in  favour  of  the  first  plan,  which  contemplates 
a  single  school  for  the  whole  church  ;  and  in  fa- 
vour of  the  third  plan,  which  contemplates  the  erec- 
tion of  a  school  in  each  Synod ;  yet,  as  several  of 
the  objections  made  to  the  first  plan,  are  founded 
entirely  on  misconception,  and  will  be  completely 
obviated,  by  developing  the  details  of  that  plan  ;  it 
seems  fairly  to  follow,  that  there  is  a  greater  amount 
of  Presbyterial  suffrage  in  favour  of  a  single  school, 
than  of  any  other  plan. 

3.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  committee  are 
of  opinion,  that,  as  much  light  has  been  obtained 
from  the  reports  of  Presbyteries,  on  this  subject, 
as  would  be  likely  to  result  from  a  renewal  of 
the  reference,  no  advantage  will  probably  arise 
from  farther  delay  in  this  important  concern,  but, 
on  the  contrary,  much  serious  inconvenience  and 
evil ;  that  the  present  Assembly  is  bound  to  at- 
tempt to  carry  into  execution  some  one  of  the  plans 
proposed ;  and  that  the  first  plan,  appearing  to 
have,  on  the  whole,  the  greatest  share  of  public 
sentiment  in  its  favour,  ought  of  course  to  be 
adopted. 

4.  Your  committee  therefore  recommend,  that  the 
present  General  Assembly  declare  its  approbation 
and  adoption  of  this  plan,  and  immediately  com- 
mence a  course  of  measures  for  carrying  it  into 
execution,  as  promptly  and  extensively  as  possi- 
ble ;  and  for  this  purpose,  they  recommend  to  the 
Assembly,  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolu- 
tions. 


236  THEOLOGICAL  SEMIXARV.  [PART  IX. 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  state  of  our  churches, 
the  loud  aud  affecting  calls  of  destitute  frontier 
settlements,  and  the  laudable  exertions  of  various 
christian  denominations  around  us  ;  all  demand, 
that  the  the  collected  wisdom,  piety  and  zeal  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  be,  without  delay,  called 
in^o  action,  for  furnishing  the  church,  with  a  large 
supply  of  able  and  faithful  ministers. 

2.  Tliat  the  General  Assembly  will,  in  the  name 
of  the  Great  Head  of  the  church,  immediately  at- 
tempt to  establish  a  Seminary  for  securing  to  can- 
didates for  the  ministry  more  extensive  and  effi- 
cient theological  instruction,  than  they  have  hereto- 
fore enjoyed.  The  local  situation  of  this  seminary 
is  hereafter  to  be  determined. 

3.  That,  in  this  Seminary,  when  completely  or- 
ganized, there  shall  be  at  least  three  professors ; 
who  shall  be  elected  by,  and  hold  their  offices 
during,  the  pleasure  of,  the  General  xissembly,  and 
w  ho  shall  give  a  regular  course  of  instruction  in  di- 
vinity, oriental  and  biblical  literature,  and  in  eccle- 
siastical history  and  church  government,  and  on 
such  other  subjects  as  may  be  deemed  necessary. 
It  being,  however,  understood  that,  until  sufficient 
funds  can  be  obtained  for  the  complete  organiza- 
tion and  support  of  the  proposed  Seminary,  a 
smaller  number  of  professors  than  three  may  be 
appointed  to  commence  the  system  of  instruction. 

4.  That  exertions  be  made  to  provide  such  an 
amount  of  funds  for  this  seminary  as  will  enable 
its  conductors,  to  afford  gratuitous  instruction,  and, 
where  it  is  necessary,  gratuitous  support,  to  all 
such  students  as  may  not  themselves  possess  ade- 
quate pecuniary  means. 


CHAP.  I.]      OP  PRELIMIKARY  iiCTS,  &C.  237 

5.  That  the  Rev.  Drs.  Green,  WoodhiiU,  Ro- 
ineyn  and  Miller,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Archibald 
Alexander,  James  Richards,  and  Amzi  Armstrong, 
be  a  committee  to  digest  and  prepare  a  plan  of  a 
Theological  Seminary ;  embracing  in  detail ;  the 
fundamental  principles  of  the  Institution,  together 
with  regulations  for  guiding  the  conduct  of  the  in- 
structors and  the  students  ;  and  prescribing  the  best 
mode  of  visiting,  of  controuling  and  supporting  the 
whole  system.  This  plan  is  to  be  reported  to  the 
next  General  Assembly. 

^  ^  ^  ^  ^K  tK  ^  ^r!^  fk 

7.  That,  as  filling  the  church  with  a  learned  and 
able  ministry  without  a  corresponding  portion  of 
real  piety,  would  be  a  curse  to  the  world,  and  an 
offence  to  God  and  his  people ;  so  the  General  As- 
sembly think  it  their  duty  to  state,  that  in  establish- 
ing a  Seminary  for  training  up  ministers,  it  is  theu' 
earnest  desire  to  guard,  as  far  as  possible,  against 
so  great  an  evil.  And  they  do  hereby  solemnly 
pledge  themselves  to  the  churches  under  their  care, 
that  in  forming  and  carrying  into  execution  the 
plan  of  tlie  proposed  seminary,  it  will  be  their  en- 
deavour to  make  it,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  a 
nursery  of  vital  piety,  as  well  as  of  sound  theologi- 
cal learning,  and  to  train  up  persons  for  the  minis- 
try, who  shall  be  lovers  as  well  as  defenders  of  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  friends  of  revivals  of  religion, 
and  a  blessing  to  the  church  of  God. 

8.  That  as  the  the  Constitution  of  our  Church 
guarantees  to  every  Presbytery  the  right  of  judg- 
ing of  its  own  candidates  for  licensure  and  ordi- 
nation ;  so  the  Assembly  think  it  proper  to  state, 
most  explicitly,  that  every  Presbytery  and  Synod 


238  THEOLCfelCAL  SEMINARY.  [PART  IX. 

Avill,  of  course,  be  left  at  full  liberty  to  counte- 
nance the  proposed  plan  or  not,  at  pleasure ;  and 
to  send  their  students  to  the  projected  Seminary,  or 
keep  them  as  heretofore  within  their  own  bounds, 
as  they  may  think  most  conducive  to  the  prosperi- 
ty of  the  church. 

9.  That  the  professors  in  the  Seminary  shall 
not,  in  any  case,  be  considered  as  having  a  right 
to  license  candidates  to  preach  the  Gospel,  but 
that  all  such  candidates  shall  be  remitted  to  their 
respective  Presbyteries  to  be  licensed  as  hereto- 
fore. 

10.  Resolved,  Finally,  that  Dr.  Samuel  Mil- 
ler, and  Rev.  James  Richards  be  a  committee,  to 
prepare  a  draught  of  an  address  from  this  As- 
sembly to  the  churches  under  our  care ;  calling 
their  attention  to  the  subject  of  a  Theological 
School,  and  earnestly  soliciting  their  patronage 
and  support,  in  the  execution  of  the  plan  now 
proposed. 


CHAP.  II.]  OF   THE    PLAA.  239 


CHAPTER  II. 


OF  THE  PLAN  OF  THE  SEMINARY.* 


Sect,  1.     The  design  of  the  Seminar j/^-f 

ANASMUCH  as  the  obtaining  of  salvation  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord^  to  the  glory  of  the  eternal 
God,  is  the  chief  object  which  claims  the  attention 
of  man ;  and  considering,  that  in  the  attainment  of 
this  object  the  dispensation  of  the  Gospel  is  prin- 
cipally instrumental ;  it  is  manifestly  of  the  highest 
importance,  that  the  best  means  be  used  to  ensure 
the  faithful  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  pure 
administration  of  all  its  ordinances.  With  this 
view,  therefore,  institutions  for  the  education  of 
youth  intended  for  the  holy  ministry,  have  been 
established  in  all  Christian  countries,  and  have 
been  found,  by  long  experience,  most  eminently 
conducive  to  the  prosperity  of  the  Church.  Hence 
the  founders  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 


*  This  Plan  was  adopted  in  1811,  and  is  published  as  amended  by 
future  A-ssemblles. 

•j-  To  preserve  uniformity  in  this  volume,  what  has  heretofore  been 
dedominaled  ARTICLES  in  t^e  Plan  is  denominated  SECTIONS  ;  and 
the  former  sections  are  distinguished  numerically. 


240  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.         ("PART  IX* 

United  States  of  America,  did,  from  its  very  origin, 
exei-t  themselves  with  peculiar  zeal  to  establish  and 
endow  colleges,  academies,  and  schools,  for  the 
education  of  youth  for  the  Gospel  ministry.  So 
rapid,  however,  has  been  the  extension  of  this 
Church,  and  so  disproportionate,  of  late,  has  been 
the  number  of  ministers  educated,  to  the  call  which 
has  been  made  for  ministerial  service,  that  some 
additional  and  vigorous  efforts  to  increase  the  sup- 
ply are  loudly  and  affectingly  demanded.  Cir- 
cumstances also  do  imperiously  dictate,  not  only 
that  the  labourers  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord 
should  be  multiplied,  but  that  they  should  be  more 
thoroughly  furnished  than  they  have  ordinarily 
been  for  the  arduous  work  to  which  they  must  be 
called.  Influenced  by  the  views  and  considerations 
now  recited,  the  General  Assembly,  after  mature 
deliberation,  have  resolved,  in  reliance  on  the  pa- 
tronage and  blessing  of  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church,  to  establish  a  new  Institution,  consecrated 
solely  to  the  education  of  men  for  the  Gospel  mi- 
nistry, and  to  be  denominated.  The  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  And  to  the  intent  that  the 
true  design  of  the  founders  of  this  institutionn  may 
be  known  to  the  public,  both  now  and  in  time  to 
come,  and  especially  that  this  design  may,  at  all 
times,  be  distinctly  viewed,  and  sacredly  regard- 
ed, both  by  the  teachers  and  the  pupils  of  the  Semi- 
nary, it  is  judged  proper  to  make  a  summary  and 
explicit  statement  of  it. 

It  is  to  form  men  for  the  Gospel  ministry,  who 
shall  truly  believe,  and  cordially  love,  and  there- 
fore endeavour  to  propagate  and  defend,  in  its 


CHAP.  II.3  THE    PLAX.  24t 

genuineness,  simplicity,  and  fulness,  that  system 
of  religious  belief  and  practice  which  is  set  forth  in 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  Catecliiams,  and  Plan  of 
Government  and  Discipline  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  ;  and  thus  to  perpetuate  and  extend  the 
influence  of  true  evangelical  piety,  and  Gospel  or- 
der. 

It  is  to  provide  for  the  Church  an  adequate  sup- 
ply and  succession  of  able  and  faithful  ministers 
of  the  Xew  Testament;  workmen  that  need  not  be 
ashamedf  being  qualified  rightly  to  divide  the  word 
of  truth. 

It  is  to  unite,  in  those  who  shall  sustain  the 
ministerial  office,  religion  and  literature  ;  that  pie- 
ty of  the  heart  which  is  the  fruit  only  of  the  re- 
newing and  sanctifying  grace  of  God,  with  solid 
learning :  believing  that  religion  without  learning, 
or  learning  without  religion,  in  the  ministers  of  the 
Gospel,  must  ultimately  prove  injurious  to  the 
Church. 

It  is  to  afford  more  advantages  than  have  hith- 
erto been  usually  possessed  by  the  ministers  of  re- 
ligion in  our  country,  to  cultivate  both  piety  and 
literature  in  their  preparatory  course:  piety,  by 
placing  it  in  circumstances  favourable  to  its  growth, 
and  by  cherishing  and  regulating  its  ardour  ;  liter- 
ature, by  affording  favourable  opportunities  for  its 
attainment,  and  by  making  its  possession  indispen- 
sable. 

It  is  to  provide  for  the  Church,  men  who  shall 
be  able  to  defend  her  faith  against  infidels,  and  her 
doctrines  against  heretics. 

It  is  to  furnish  our  congregations  with  enlight- 
ened, humble,  zealous,  laborious  pastors,  who 
shall  truly  watch  for  the  good  of  aonla,  and  con- 

X 


242  THEOL(>GICAL  SEMINARY.  [PART  IX. 

sider  it  as  tlieir  highest  honour  and  happiness  to 
win  them  to  the  SaviouF,  and  to  huild  up  their 
several  charges  in  holiness  and  peace. 

It  is  to  promote  harmony  and  unity  of  sentiment 
among  the  ministers  of  our  Church,  hy  educating  a 
large  hody  of  them  under  the  same  teachers,  and  in 
the  same  course  of  study. 

It  is  to  lay  the  foundation  of  early  and  lasting 
friendships,  productive  of  confidence  and  mutual 
assistance  in  after-life  among  the  ministers  of  re- 
ligion ;  which  experience  shows  to  be  conducive 
not  only  to  personal  happiness,  but  to  the  perfect- 
ing of  inquiries,  researches,  and  publications  ad- 
rantageous  to  religion. 

It  is  to  preserve  the  unity  of  our  Church,  by 
educating  her  ministers  in  an  enlightened  attach- 
ment, not  only  to  the  same  doctrines,  but  to  the 
same  plan  of  government. 

It  is  to  bring  to  the  service  of  the  Church  genius 
and  talent,  when  united  with  piety,  however  poor 
or  obscure  may  be  their  possessor,  by  furnishing, 
as  far  as  possible,  the  means  of  education  and  sup- 
port, without  expense  to  the  student. 

It  is  to  found  a  nursery  for  missionaries  to  the 
heathen,  and  to  such  as  are  destitute  of  the  stated 
preaching  of  the  gospel ;  in  wliicli  youth  may  re- 
ceive that  appropriate  training  which  may  lay  a 
foundation  for  their  ultimately  becoming  eminently 
qualified  for  missionary  work. 

It  is,  finally,  to  endeavour  to  raise  up  a  succes- 
sion of  men,  at  once  qualified  for  and  thoroughly 
devoted  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry ;  wlio, 
with  various  endowments,  suiting  them  to  different 
stations  in  the  church  of  Christ,  may  all  possess  a 
portion  of  the  spirit  of  the  primitive  propagators  of 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    PLAN.  243 

the  Gospel;  prepared  to  make  every  sacrifice,  to  en- 
dure every  hardship,  and  to  render  every  service 
which  the  promotion  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion 
may  require. 

Sect  2,     Of  the  General  Assembly,^ 

1.  As  this  institution  derfves^its  origin  from  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly,  so  that  body  is  to  be  considered  at 
all  times  as  its  patron,  and  the  fountain  of  its  pow- 
ers. The  Assembly  shall  accordingly  ultimately 
sanction  all  its  laws,  direct  its  instructions,  and  ap- 
point its  principal  officers. 

2.  The  General  Assembly  shall  choose  a  Board 
of  Directors,  consisting  of  twenty-one  ministers  and 
nine  ruling  elders,  by  whom  the  Seminary  shall  be 
inspected  and  conducted.  Of  this  number,  one- 
third,  or  seven  ministers  and  three  elders,  shall  be 
chosen  annually ;  to  continue  in  office  three  years. 
And  if  any  vacancy  shall  occur  in  the  Board,  by 
death,  resignation,  or  incapacity  to  serve,  the  As- 
sembly may  annually  fill  up  such  vacancies. 

3.  AH  professors  of  the  Seminary  shall  be  ap* 
pointed  by  the  Assembly.  But  in  cases  of  neces- 
sity, the  Board  of  Directors  may  employ  a  suitable 
person  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  professor,  till  a 
meeting  of  the  Assembly  shall  take  place. 

4.  The  General  Assembly  shall,  at  all  times, 
have  the  power  of  adding  to  the  Constitutional  Ar- 
ticles of  the  Seminary,  and  of  abrogating,  altering, 
or  amending  them ;  but,  in  the  exercise  of  this  power, 
the  contemplated  additions,  abrogations,  alterations, 


This  is  Article  I.  in  the  original  Plan. 


244  i  HEOLOiilCAL  SEMINARY.  [PAllT  IX. 

or  amendments,  shall,  in  every  case,  be  proposed 
at  one  Assembly,  and  not  adopted  till  the  Assem- 
bly of  the  snbsoqiient  year,  except  by  unanimous 
vote. 


Sect,  3.     Of  the  Board  of  Directors, 

1.  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  meet  statedly, 
I  wice  in  each  year ;  once  in  the  spring,  and  once  in 
the  fall,  and  oftener  on  their  own  adjournments,  if 
they  shall  judge  it  ex])edient.  Eleven  members  of 
the  Board  shall  be  a  quorum  ;  provided  always, 
that  of  this  number  six,  at  least,  be  ministers  of 
the  Gospel,  and  the  president,  or,  in  case  of  his  ab- 
sence, the  ^  ice  president  be  one. 

2.  The  Board  shall  choose  ont  of  their  own 
number,  a  president,  vice-president  and  secretary. 
In  the  absence  of  the  president  and  vice-president, 
the  senior  member  present  shall  preside. 

3.  The  president  of  the  Board,  or  in  the  event  of 
his  death,  absence,  or  inability  to  act,  the  vice-pre- 
sident, shall  at  the  request  of  any  three  members, 
expressed  to  him  in  writing,  call  a  special  meeting 
of  the  Board  of  directors  by  a  circular  letter  ad- 
dressed to  each ;  in  which  letter  notice  shall  be  gi- 
ven, not  only  of  the  pl:ice  and  time  of  meeting,  but 
of  the  business  intended  to  be  transacted  at  the 
meeting  notified ;  and  this  letter  shall  be  sent  at 
least  twenty  days  before  the  time  of  said  meeting. 

4.  The  Secretary  of  the  Board  shall  keep  accu- 
rate records  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  directors; 
and  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  lay  these  records,  or  a 
faithful  transcript  of  the  same,  before  the  General 
Assembly,  annually,  for  the  unrestrained  inspection 
of  all  the  members. 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    PLAN.  245 

5.  Every  meetins:  of  the  Board  of  directors  shall 
be  opened  and  closed  with  prayer. 

6.  The  Board  of  directors  may  make  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  performance  of  the  duties  as- 
signed them,  or  for  the  preservation  of  order,  not 
inconsistent  with  the  prescriptions  of  this  plan,  or 
the  orders  of  the  Cxeneral  Assembly. 

7.  At  the  commencement  of  each  stated  spring 
meeting,  the  whole  plan  of  the  Seminary  shall  be- 
distinctly  read  before  the  Board  of  directors. 

8.  The  Board  shall  direct  the  professors  of  the 
Seminary,  in  regard  to  the  subjects  and  topics  on 
Mhich  they  are  severally  to  give  instructions  to  the 
pupils,  so  far  as  the  same  shall  not  be  prescribed 
by  this  plan,  or  by  the  orders  of  the  General  As- 
sembly. 

9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  directors 
to  inaugurate  the  professors  of  the  Seminary,  aad 
to  direct  what  forms  shall  ])e  used,  and  what  servi- 
ces performed,  on  such  occasions. 

10.  Every  director,  previously  to  his  taking  Ids 
seat  as  a  member  of  the  board,  shall  solemnly  sub- 
scribe the  following  formula:  viz. — ^^  Approving 
the  plan  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Pres* 
byterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
I  solemnly  declare  and  promise,  in  the  presence  of 
God  and  of  this  Board,  that  I  w  ill  faithfully  endea- 
vour to  carry  into  effect  all  the  articles  and  provi- 
sions of  said  plan,  and  to  promote  the  great  design 
of  the  Seminary." 

11.  The  Board  of  directors  shall  inspect  the 
fidelity  of  the  professors,  especially  in  regard  to 
the  doctrines  actually  taught ;  and  if,  after  (kie  in- 
quiry and  examination,  they  shall  judge  that  any 
professor  is  either  unsound  in  the  faith,  opposed  to 


246  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  [PART  IX. 

the  fimdamental  priiK  iplea  of  Presbyterian  Church 
Government,  immoral  in  his  conduct,  unfaithful  to 
his  trust,  or  incompetent  to  the  discharge  of  his  du- 
ties, they  shall  faithfully  report  him  as  such  to  the 
General  Assembly.  Or  if  the  longer  continuance 
of  a  professor  be  judged  highly  dangerous,  the  di- 
rectors may  immediately  suspend  him,  and  appoint 
another  in  his  place,  till  the  whole  business  can  be 
reported,  and  submitted  to  the  Assembly. 

12.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  direc- 
tors to  watch  over  the  conduct  of  the  students  ;  to 
redress  grievances ;  to  examine  into  the  whole 
course  of  instruction  and  study  in  the  Seminary ; 
and  generally  to  superintend  and  endeavour  to  pro- 
mote all  its  interests. 

13.  The  Board  of  directors  shall  make,  in  writ- 
ing, a  detailed  and  faithful  report  of  the  state  of 
the  Seminary,  to  every  General  Assembly ;  and 
they  may,  at  the  same  time,  recommend  such  mea- 
sures for  the  advantage  of  the  Seminary,  as  to  them 
may  appear  proper. 

14.  At  every  stated  meeting  of  the  Board  of  di- 
rectors, unless  particular  circumstances  render  it  in- 
expedient, there  shall  be  at  least  one  sermon  deli- 
vered in  the  presence  of  the  Board,  the  professors, 
and  students,  by  a  director  or  directors  previously 
appointed  for  the  purpose, 

Sect»  4.     Of  the  Professors, 

1.  The  numbers  of  the  professors  in  the  Semi- 
nary shall  be  increased  or  diminished,  as  the  As- 
sembly may,  from  time  to  time,  direct.  But  when 
the  Seminary  shall  be  completely  organized,  there 
shall  not  be  less  than  three  professors ;  one  of  Di- 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    PLAN.  247 

dactic  and  Polemic  Divinity ;  one  of  Oriental  and 
Biblical  Literature ;  and  one  of  Ecclesiastical  His- 
tory and  Church  Government. 

2.  No  person  shall  be  inducted  into  the  office 
of  professor  of  divinity,  but  an  ordained  minister 
of  the  Gospel. 

3.  Every  person  elected  to  a  professorship,  in 
this  Seminary,  shall,  on  being  inaugurated,  solemnly 
subscribe  the  Confession  of  Faith,  Catechisms,  and 
Form  of  Government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
agreeably  to  the  following  formula  :  viz, — ^^  In  the 
presence  of  God  and  of  the  directors  of  this  Semi- 
nary, 1  do  solemnly,  and  e,v  animo  adopt,  receive, 
and  subscribe  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  Cate- 
chisms of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  as  the  confession  of  my  faith,  or, 
as  a  summary  and  just  exhibition  of  that  system  of 
doctrine  and  religious  belief  which  is  contained  in 
holy  Scripture,  and  therein  revealed  by  God  to  man 
for  his  salvation  ;  and  I  do  solemnly  ex  animo  pro- 
fess to  receive  the  Form  of  Government  of  said 
Church,  as  agreeable  to  the  inspired  oracles.  And 
I  do  solemnly  promise  and  engage,  not  to  inculcate, 
teach,  or  insinuate  anything  which  shall  appear  to 
me  to  contradict  or  contravene,  either  directly  or 
impliedly,  any  thing  taught  in  the  said  Confession 
of  Faith  or  Catechisms  ;  nor  to  oppose  any  of  the 
fundamental  principles  of  Presbyterian  Church  Go- 
vernment, while  1  shall  continue  a  professor  in  this 
Seminary." 

4.  The  salaries  of  the  professors  shall  be  recom- 
mended by  the  directors;  but  they  shall  be  fixed 
only  by  a  vote  of  the  General  AssembTy. 

5.  The  professors  may  accompany  their  lectures 
and  recitations  with  prayer,  as  frequently  as  they 


248  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  [PAUT  IX. 

may  judge  proper,  in  addition  to  those  dnily  sea- 
sons of  prayer  in  which  all  the  students  will  unite. 

6.  Each  professor  shall  lay  before  the  Board  of 
directors,  as  soon  as  practicable  after  his  appoint- 
ment, a  detailed  exhibition  of  the  system  and  me- 
thod which  he  proposes  to  pursue,  and  tlie  subjects 
w  hich  he  proposes  to  discuss,  in  conducting  the 
studies  of  the  youth  that  shall  come  under  his  care: 
and  in  this  system  he  shall  make  such  alterations 
or  additions  as  the  Board  shall  direct ;  so  that, 
eventually,  the  w  hole  course  through  which  the  pu- 
pils shall  be  carried,  shall  be  no  other  than  that 
which  the  Board  of  directors  shall  have  approved 
and  sanctioned,  conformably  to  Sect.  3.  No.  8. 
And  as  often  as  any  professor  shall  think  that  va- 
riations and  additions  of  importance  maybe  advan- 
tageously introduced  into  his  course  of  teaching,  he 
shall  submit  the  same  to  the  Board  of  directors,  for 
their  approbation  or  rejection. 

7.  Every  professor  shall,  if  practicable,  have  at 
least  one  lecture  or  recitation  every  day,  on  which 
the  pupils,  in  his  branch  of  instruction,  shall  be 
bound  to  attend  ;  and  on  which  the  other  pupils  of 
the  Seminary  shall  attend  as  often,  and  in  such 
manner,  «s  may  be  directed  by  the  majority  of  the 
Board  of  directors. 

8.  Any  professor  intending  to  resign  his  office, 
shall  give  six  months  notice  of  such  intention  to  the 
Board  of  directors. 

9.  The  professors  of  the  Institution  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  a  faculty.  They  shall  meet  at  such  sea- 
sons as  they  may  judge  proper.  In  every  meeting 
the  professor  of  didactic  and  polemic  divinity  shall 
preside,  if  he  be  present.  If  he  be  absent,  a  presi- 
dent shall  be  chosen  pro  tempore.     The  faculty 


^HAP.  II.]  f  H£    PLAI^.  249 

shall  choose  a  clerk,  and  keep  accurate  records  of 
all  their  proceedings ;  which  records  shall  be  laid 
before  the  directors  at  every  meeting  of  the  Board, 
The  president  of  the  faculty  shall  call  a  meeting 
whenever  he  shall  judge  it  expedient,  and  whenever 
he  shall  be  requested  to  do  so  by  any  other  mem- 
ber. By  the  faculty,  regularly  convened,  shall  be 
determined  the  hours  and  seasons  at  which  the 
classes  shall  attend  the  professors  severally,  so  as 
to  prevent  interference  and  confusion,  and  to  afford 
to  the  pupils  the  best  opportunities  of  improvement. 
The  faculty  shall  attend  to,  and  decide  on  all  cases 
of  discipline,  and  all  questions  of  order,  as  they 
shall  arise.  They  shall  agree  on  the  rules  of  order, 
decorum,  and  duty,  (not  inconsistent  with  any  pro- 
vision in  the  plan  of  the  Seminary,  nor  with  any 
order  of  the  Board  of  directors,)  to  which  the  stu- 
dents shall  be  subjected ;  and  these  they  shall  re- 
duce to  writing,  and  cause  to  be  publicly  and  fre- 
quently read.  They  shall  determine  the  hours  at 
which  the  whole  of  the  pupils  shall,  morning  and 
evening,  attending  for  social  worship;  and  the  man- 
ner in  which,  and  the  person  or  persons,  of  their 
own  number,  by  whom,  the  exercises  of  devotion 
shall  be  conducted. 

10.  The  faculty  shall  be  empowered  to  dismiss 
from  the  Seminary  any  student  wIm)  shall  prove 
unsound  in  his  religious  sentiments  ;  immovl  or 
disorderly  in  his  conduct;  or  who  may  be,  in  rlu ir 
opinion,  on  any  account  whatsoever,  a  dangerous, 
or  unprofitable  member  of  the  Institution. 

11.  Each  member  of  the  faculty  shall  have  an 
equal  vote. 

12.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  professors,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Board  of  directors,  to  supply 


250  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  [PART  IX. 

tlie  pupils  of  the  Institution  with  the  preaching  of 
the  Gospel,  and  the  administration  of  the  Sacra- 
ments of  the  Christian  Church:  if  this  supply  shall 
not,  in  the  judgment  of  the  directors,  be  satisfacto- 
rily furnished  by  a  Church  or  Churches  in  the 
place  where  the  Institution  shall  be  established. 

Sect,  5.     Of  Study  and  Attainments, 

As  the  particular  course  of  study  pursued  in  any 
Institution  will,  and  perhaps  ought  to,  be  modified 
in  a  considerable  degree,  by  the  views  and  habits 
of  the  teachers  ;  and  ought,  moreover,  to  be  varied, 
altered,  or  extended,  as  experience  may  suggest 
improvements  ;  it  is  judged  proper  to  specify,  not 
so  precisely  the  course  of  study,  as  the  attainments 
w  hich  must  be  made.     Therefore, 

1.  Every  student,  at  the  close  of  his  course,  must 
have  made  the  following  attainments  :  viz.  He  must 
be  well  skilled  in  the  original  languages  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures.  He  must  be  able  to  explain  the 
principal  difficulties  w  hich  arise  in  the  perusal  of 
the  Scriptures,  either  from  en^oneous  translations, 
apparent  inconsistencies,  real  obscurities,  or  objec- 
tions arising  from  history,  reason,  or  argument. 
He  must  be  versed  in  Jewish  and  Christian  anti- 
quities, which  serve  to  explain  and  illustrate  Scrip- 
ture. He  must  have  an  acquaintance  with  ancient 
geography,  and  with  oriental  customs,  which  throw 
light  on  the  sacred  records. — Thus  he  will  have 
laid  the  foundation  for  becoming  a  sound  biblical 
critic. 

He  must  have  read  and  digested  the  principal 
arguments  and  writings  relative  to  what  has  been 
called  the  deistical  controversy. — Thus  will  he  be 


CHAP^II.]  ^  THE    PLAN.  251 

qualified  to  become  a  defender  of  the  Christian 
faith. 

He  must  be  able  to  suppoi  t  the  doctrines  of  the 
Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  by  a  ready, 
pertinent,  and  abundant  quotation  of  Scripture 
texts  for  that  purpose.  He  must  have  studied, 
carefully  and  correctly.  Natural,  Didactic,  Pole- 
mic, aud  Casuistic  Theology.  He  must  have  a 
considerable  acquaintance  with  General  History 
and  Chronology,  and  a  particular  acquaintance 
with  the  history  of  the  Christian  Church. — Thus 
he  will  be  preparing  to  become  an  able  and  sound 
divine  and  casuist. 

He  must  have  read  a  considerable  number  of  the 
best  practical  writers  on  the  subject  of  religion.  He 
must  have  learned  to  compose  with  correctness  and 
readiness  in  his  own  language,  and  to  deliver  what 
he  has  composed  to  others  in  a  natural  and  accep- 
table manner.  He  must  be  well  acquainted  with 
the  several  parts,  and  the  proper  structure  of  popu- 
lar lectures  and  sermons.  He  must  have  composed 
at  least  two  lectures  and  four  popular  sermons,  that 
shall  have  been  approved  by  the  professors.  He 
must  have  carefully  studied  the  duties  of  the  pasto- 
ral care. — Thus  he  will  be  prepared  to  become  a 
useful  preacher,  and  a  faithful  pastor. 

He  must  have  studied  attentively  the  form  of 
Church  Government  authorized  by  the  Scriptures, 
and  the  administration  of  it  as  it  has  taken  place 
in  Protestant  Churches. — Thus  he  will  be  qualified 
to  exercise  discipline,  and  to  take  part  in  the  go- 
vernment of  the  Church  in  all  its  judicatories. 

2.  The  period  of  continuance  in  the  Theological 
Seminary  shall,  in  no  case,  be  less  than  three  years. 


252  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  [PART  IX. 

previously  to  an  examination  for  a  certificate  of  ap- 
probation. But  students  may  enter  the  Seminary, 
and  enjoy  the  course  of  instruction  for  a  shorter 
time  than  three  years ;  provided  they  in  all  other 
respects  submit  to  the  laws  of  the  Seminary,  of 
which  facts  they  may  receive  a  written  declaration 
from  the  professors. 

3.  There  shall  be  an  examination  of  all  the  pupils 
in  the  Seminary  at  every  stated  meeting  of  the  Board 
of  Directors.  Those  pupils  who  shall  have  regu- 
larly and  diligently  studied  for  three  years,  shall 
be  admitted  to  an  examination  on  the  subjects  spe- 
cified in  this  section.  All  examinations  shall  be 
conducted  by  the  Professors,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Directors,  or  a  committee  of  them. — Every  Direc- 
tor present  shall  be  at  liberty^  during  the  progress 
of  any  examination,  or  after  the  same  shall  have 
been  closed  by  the  Professors,  to  put  to  any  pupil 
such  questions  as  he  shall  deem  proper.  Every 
pupil  that  shall  have  passed  his  final  examination 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Directors  present,  shall  re- 
ceive a  certificate  of  the  same,  signed  by  the  Pro- 
fessors, with  which  he  shall  be  remitted  to  the  Pres- 
bytery under  whose  care  he  is  placed,  to  be  dispo- 
sed of  as  such  Presbytery  shall  direct.  Those 
who  do  not  pass  a  satisfactory  examination  shall 
remain  a  longer  space  in  the  Seminary. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  object  of  the  professors  to  make 
such  arrangements  in  the  instruction  of  their  pupils, 
as  shall  be  best  adapted  to  enable  them,  in  the  space 
of  three  years,  to  be  examined  with  advantage  on 
the  subjects  specified  in  this  section. 


CHAP.  II.]  THE   PLAN.  253 

Sect.  6.  Of  Devotion,  and  Improvement  in 
Practical  Piety. 

It  ought  to  be  considered  as  an  object  of  primary 
importance  by  every  student  in  the  Seminary,  to  be 
careful  and  vigilant  not  to  lose  that  inward  sense  of 
the  power  of  godliness  which  he  may  have  attain- 
ed ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  to  grow  continually  in  a 
spirit  of  enlightened  devotion  and  fervent  piety ; 
deeply  impressed  with  the  recollection  that  with- 
out this,  all  his  other  acquisitions  will  be  compara- 
tively of  little  worth,  either  to  himself,  or  to  the 
Church  of  which  he  is  to  be  a  minister. 

He  must  remember,  too,  that  this  is  a  species  of 
improvement  which  must  of  necessity,  be  left,  in  a 
great  measure,  with  himself,  as  a  concern  between 
God  and  bis  own  soul. 

It  is  proper,  however,  to  delineate  the  path  of 
duty,  to  express  the  wishes  and  expectations  of 
the  founders  of  the  Seminary,  and  to  make  such 
requirements  as  the  nature  of  the  subject  will  per- 
mit. 

1.  It  is  expected  that  every  student  in  the  The- 
ological Seminary  will  spend  a  portion  of  time 
every  morning  and  evening  in  devout  meditation, 
and  self- recollection  and  examination  ;  in  reading 
the  holy  Scriptures,  solely  with  a  view  to  a  per- 
sonal and  practical  application  of  the  passage  read, 
to  his  own  heart,  character,  and  circumstances; 
and  in  humble  fervent  prayer  and  praise  to  God  in 
secret. 

The  whole  of  every  Lord's  day  is  to  be  devoted 
to  devotional  exercises,  either  of  a  social  or  secret 
kind.     Intellectual  pursiiits,  not  immediately  con- 

Y 


254         THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,    [PART  IX. 

nected  with  devotion  or  the  religion  of  the  heart, 
are  on  that  day  to  be  forborne.  The  books  to  be 
read  are  to  be  of  a  practical  nature.  The  conver- 
sations had  with  each  other  are  to  be  chiefly  on 
religious  subjects.  Associations  for  prayer  and 
praise,  and  for  religious  conference,  calculated  to 
promote  a  growth  in  grace,  are  also  proper  for  this 
day  ;  subject  to  such  regulations  as  the  professors 
tind  directors  may  see  proper  to  prescribe.  It  is 
wished  and  recommended,  that  each  student  should 
ordinarily  set  apart  one  day  in  a  month  for  special 
prayer  and  self-examination  in  secret,  and  also  that 
he  should,  on  suituable  occasions,  attend  to  the 
duty  of  fasting. 

2.  If  any  student  shall  exhibit,  in  his  general 
deportment,  a  levity  or  indifference  in  regard  to 
practical  religion,  though  it  do  not  amount  to  any 
over-act  of  iiTeligion  or  immorality,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  professor  who  may  observe  it,  to  ad- 
monish him  tenderly  and  faitlifully  in  private,  and 
endeavour  to  engage  him  to  a  more  holy  temper, 
and  a  more  exemplary  deportment. 

3.  If  a  student,  after  due  admonition,  persist 
in  a  system  of  conduct  not  exemplary  in  regard 
to  religion,  he  shall  be  dismissed  from  the  Semi- 
nary. 

4.  The  professors  are  ])articularly  charged,  by 
all  the  proper  means  in  their  power,  to  encourage, 
cherish  and  promote  devotion  and  personal  piety 
among  their  pupils,  by  warning  and  guarding  them, 
on  the  one  band,  against  formality  and  indifference, 
and  on  the  other,  against  ostentation  and  enthusi- 
asm ;  by  inculcating  practic  al  religion  in  their  lec- 
tures and  recitations  ;  by  taking  suitable  occasions 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    PLAN.  255 

to  converse  with  their  pupils  privately  on  this  in- 
teresting subject ;  and  by  all  other  means  incapable 
of  being  minutely  specified,  by  which  they  may  fos- 
ter true  experimental  religion,  and  unreserved  de- 
votedness  to  God. 


Sect,  7.     Of  the  Students. 

1.  Every  student,  applying  for  admission  te 
the  Theological  Seminary,  shall  produce  satisfac- 
tory testimonials  that  he  possesses  good  natural  ta- 
lents, and  is  of  a  prudent  and  discreet  deportment; 
that  he  is  in  full  communion  with  some  regular 
Church  :  that  he  has  passed  through  a  regular 
course  of  academical  study ;  or,  wanting  this,  he 
shall  submit  himself  to  an  examination  in  re- 
gard to  the  branches  of  literature  taught  in  such  a 
course. 

2.  The  first  six  months  of  every  student  in  the 
Seminary  shall  be  considered  as  probationary;  and 
if,  at  the  end  of  this  period,  any  student  shall  ap- 
pear to  the  professors  not  qualifieii  to  proceed  ia 
his  studies,  they  shall  so  report  him  to  the  Board 
of  directors,  who,  if  they  are  of  the  same  opinion 
with  the  professors,  shall  dismiss  him  from  the 
Seminary. 

3.  The  hours  of  study  and  of  recreation  for  the 
students  shall  be  fixed  by  the  professors,  with  the 
concurrence  of  the  directors  ;  and  every  student 
shall  pay  a  strict  regard  to  the  rules  established 
relative  to  this  subject. 

4.  Every  student  shall  be  obliged  to  write  on 
such  theological  and  other  subjects,  as  may  be 
prescribed  to  him  by  the  professors.  In  the  first 
year,  every  student  shall  be  obliged  to  produce  a 


256  J  IIEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  [PART  IX. 

M  litten  composition  on  such  subjects,  at  least  once 
in  every  month;  in  the  second  year,  once  in  three 
weeks  ;  in  the  third  year,  once  in  two  weeks. 
Once  a  month  each  student  shall  also  commit  to 
memory  a  piece  of  his  own  composition,  and  pro- 
nounce it  in  public,  before  the  professors  and  stu- 
dents. 

5.  Every  student  shall  not  only  preserve  an 
exemplary  moral  character,  but  shall  be  expected 
to  treat  his  teachers  with  the  greatest  deference  and 
respect,  and  all  other  persons  with  civility. 

6.  Every  student  shall  yield  a  prompt  and 
ready  obedience  to  all  the  lawful  requisitions  of  the 
professors  and  directors. 

'7.  Diligence  and  industry  in  study  shall  be 
considered  as  indispensable  in  every  student,  unless 
the  want  of  health  shall  prevent,  of  which  the 
professors  shall  take  cognizance,  and  make  the 
suitable  alloAvance. 

8.  Strict  temperance  in  meat  and  drink  is  ex- 
pected of  every  student,  with  cleanliness  and  neat- 
ness in  his  dress  and  habits ;  while  all  excessive 
expense  in  clothing  is  strictly  prohibited. 

9.  Every  student,  before  he  takes  his  standing 
in  the  Seminary,  shall  subscribe  the  following  de- 
claration :  viz, — ^'  Deeply  impressed  with  a  sense 
of  the  importance  of  improving  in  knowledge,  pru- 
dence, and  piety,  in  my  preparation  for  the  Gos- 
pel Ministry,  I  solemnly  promise,  in  a  reliance  on 
divine  grace,  that  I  will  faithfully  and  diligently 
attend  to  all  the  instructions  of  this  Seminary,  and 
that  I  will  conscientiously  and  vigilantly  observe 
all  the  rules  and  regulations  specified  in  the  plan 
for  its  instruction  and  government,  so  far  as  the 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    PLAN.  257 

same  relate  to  the  students ;  and  that  I  will  obey 
all  the  lawful  requisitions,  and  readily  yield  to  all 
the  wholesome  admonitions  of  the  professors  and 
directors  of  the  Seminary,  while  I  shall  continue  a 
member  of  it.'' 

10.  There  shall  be  three  vacations  in  the  Semina- 
ry every  year.  The  spring  vacation  to  continue  six 
weeks  ;  the  fall  vacation  six  weeks  ;  and  the  winter 
vacation  two  weeks.  The  vacations  to  commence 
at  such  times  as  the  Board  of  Directors  shall  deem 
most  expedient. 

Sect.  8.     Of  the  Library.^ 

1.  To  obtain,  ultimately,  a  complete  theological 
Library,  shall  be  considered  as  a  leading  object  of 
the  Institution. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  directors  to  pre- 
sent to  the  General  Assembly,  a  catalogue  of  the 
most  necessary  books  for  the  commencement  of 
a  library,  and  recommend  the  purchase  of  such 
a  number  as  the  state  of  the  funds  will  permit. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  professors  to  pro- 
cure and  keep  a  large  folio,  to  be  denominated^ 
TJie  Prospectus  of  a  Catalogue  of  a  Theological 
Library.  In  this  folio,  divided  into  proper  heads, 
each  professor  shall,  at  his  pleasure,  enter,  in  its 
proper  place,  the  title  of  such  books  as  he  shall  de- 
liberately  judge  to  be  proper  for  the  library.  The 
Board  of  directors,  or  the  members  of  it  indivi- 
dually, may  do  the  same.     From  this  folio  it  shall 


*  This  Section  is  laid  over  for  'he  consideration  of  a  future  A» 
sembly. 

Y2 


258         THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.    [PART  IX. 

be  the  duty  of  the  directors  to  select  such  books  as 
they  think  most  necessary,  and  as  the  sum  appro- 
priated for  the  current  year  will  purchase,  and  re- 
comnjend  their  purchase  to  the  Assembly.  The  As- 
sembly shall,  annually,  decide  by  vote,  what  sum 
of  money,  for  the  current  year,  shall  be  laid  out  in 
the  purchase  of  books. 

4.  A  suitable  room  or  apartment  shall  be  as- 
signed for  the  library.  The  shelves  for  the  books 
shall  be  divided  into  compartments  or  alcoves  ; 
and  if  any  of  them  be  filled,  or  nearly  so,  by  a 
donor,  his  name  shall  be  conspicuously  placed 
over  it. 

5.  A  Librarian  shall  be  appointed  by  the  As- 
sembly. 

6.  No  book  shall  be  permitted,  on  any  occasion, 
Jo  be  carried  away  from  the  Seminary. 

7.  A  book  of  donations  shall  be  carefully  kept 
by  the  Librarian,  in  which  shall  be  entered,  by 
him,  the  books  given  to  the  library,  the  time  w  hen, 
and  the  name  of  the  donor. 

8.  Regulations  for  the  use  of  the  library,  not 
inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Section, 
shall  be  detailed  in  a  system  of  by-laws,  for  that 
purpose ;  to  be  draughted  by  the  first  Librarian, 
and  occasionally  modified  and  added  to,  as  circum- 
stances shall  require,  by  his  successors ;  which  re- 
gulations, after  being  ratified  by  the  Board  of  di- 
rectors, shall  be  authoritative. 


Sect  9.     Of  the  Funds. 

1.  The  funds  of  the  Institution  shall  be  kept, 
at  all  times,  entirely  distinct  and  separate  from  all 


CHAP.  II.]  THE    PLAN.  259 

other  monies  or  funds  whatsoever ;  and  they  shall 
be  deposited  in  the  hands  of  such  corporation,  or 
disposed  of  for  safe  keeping  and  improvement,  in 
such  other  manner,  as  the  General  Assembly  shall 
direct. 

2.  The  Board  of  directors  shall,  from  time  to 
time,  as  they  may  see  proper,  lay  before  the  As- 
sembly plans  for  the  improvement  of  the  funds, 
and  propositions  for  the  appropriation  of  such 
sums  as  they  may  think  necessary  for  particular 
purposes. 

3.  No  money  shall,  at  any  time,  be  drawn  from 
the  funds,  but  by  an  appropriation  and  order  of  the 
Assembly  for  the  purpose. 

4.  A  fair  statement  shall  annually  be  laid  be- 
fore the  Assembly,  by  the  proper  officer,  of  the 
amount  of  the  funds  belonging  to  the  Seminary, 
of  the  items  which  constitute  that  amount,  and  of 
the  expenditures  in  detail  for  the  preceding  year. 

5.  The  intention  and  directions  of  testators  or 
donors,  in  regard  to  monies  or  other  property  left, 
or  given  to  the  Seminary,  shall,  at  all  times,  be  sa- 
credly regarded.  And  if  any  individual,  or  any 
number  of  individuals,  not  greater  than  three,  shall 
by  will,  or  during  his  or  their  lives,  found  or  en- 
dow a  professorship  or  professorships,  a  scholar- 
ship or  scholarships, 'or  a  fund  or  funds,  destined 
to  special  purposes,  said  professorships,  scholar- 
ships, or  funds,  shall  for  ever  afterwards  be  called 
and  known  by  the  name  or  names  of  those  who 
founded  or  endowed  them.  And  if  any  congrega- 
tion, Presbytery,  Synod,  or  Association,  shall 
found  a  professorship  or  professorships,  scholarship 
or  scholarships,  or  a  fund  or  funds,  said  professor- 
ship or  professorships,  or  scholarship  or  scholar- 


260         THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.    [PART  IX. 

ships,  fund  or  funds,  shall  forever  afterwards  be 
called  or  known  by  such  name  as  the  body  found- 
ing them  shall  give.* 

6.  After  supporting  the  professors,  and  defray- 
ing the  other  necessary  charges  of  the  Seminary, 
the  funds  shall  be  applied,  as  far  as  circu  in  stances 
will  admit,  to  defray  or  diminish  the  expenses  of 
those  students  who  may  need  pecuniary  aid,  as 
well  as  to  lessen,  generally,  the  expense  of  a  resi- 
dence at  the  Seminary. 


CHAPTER  III, 


OF  THE  LOCATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY. 


Sect.  1.    Princeton  selected  as  the  site,  in  1812. 

JL  HE  resolution  for  locating  the  Theological  Se- 
minary, was  again  resumed;  and,  after  considera- 
ble discussion  and  special  prayer  for  direction  on 
the  important  subject,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  viz. 

Resolved^  That  Princeton  be  the  site  of  the  The- 


^    *  The  sum  necessary  to  endow  a  Professorship  is  not  less  than 
25,000  dollars,  and  to  endow  a  scholarship,  not  less  thao  2,500  dollars. 


CtlAP.  inO  THE    LOCATI0^.  261 

ological  Seminary;  leaving  the  subject  open  as  to 
its  permanency,  agreeably  to  stipulations  agreed 
upon  by  the  joint  committees  of  the  last  Assem- 
by  and  the  Trustees  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey. 

Sect,  2.  The  agreement  between  a  Committee 
ef  the  General  Assembly  and  a  Committee  of  thb 
Trustees  of  the  College  of  J\l*ew  Jersey ^  in  1811. 

The  following  plan  of  an  agreement,  between  a 
Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assem- 
bly and  a  Committee  of  the  TiTistees  of  the  Col- 
lege of  New  Jersey,  for  the  location  and  establish- 
ment of  a  Theological  Seminary,  was  submitted  to 
this  Assembly,  and  was  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  viz, 

1.  That  the  Theological  Seminary,  about  to  be 
erected  by  the  General  Assembly,  shall  have  its 
location  in  Princeton,  or  its  immediate  vicinity,  ia 
the  State  of  New  Jersey ;  and  in  such  connection 
with  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  as  is  implied  in 
the  following  articles. 

2.  That  the  Trustees  of  the  College  engage, 
that  the  General  Assembly,  and  Directors  to  be  by 
them  appointed,  shall  carry  into  full  and  complete 
effect,  without  any  interposition,  interference,  let 
or  hindrance  from  them  the  Trustees  or  their  suc- 
cessors, the  whole  plan  of  a  Theological  Seminary 
as  laid  down  and  agreed  upon  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Assembly,  in  the  present  year  of  our  Lord  1811 — 
That  is  to  say,  that  the  said  General  Assembly 
shall  appoint  their  Directors,  choose  their  Profes- 
sors, carry  on  their  instruction,  govern  their  pupils, 
and  manage  their  funds,  as  to  them  shall  appear 
best. 


262  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.         [PART  IX^ 

3.  That  the  Trustees  of  the  College  engage  to 
the  General  Assembly  freely  to  allow  them  to 
erect,  at  their  own  expense,  on  the  grounds  belong- 
ing to  the  College,  such  buildings  for  the  accom- 
modation of  pupils  and  professors  as  they  may 
judge  proper,  and  which  may  not  interfere  with  the 
buildings  and  their  conveniences  already  erected 
by  the  Trustees  :  and  to  prevent  all  future  dis- 
satisfaction on  this  subject,  that  it  be  agreed,  that 
when  the  General  Assembly  or  the  Directors  of 
the  Theological  Seminary  may  wish  to  erect  any 
building  on  the  College  grounds,  and  there  shall 
be  any  discordance  of  views  relative  to  the  same  ; 
then  the  General  Assembly,  or  the  Directors  afore- 
said, shall  appoint  three  men,  and  the  Board  of 
Trustees  the  same  number,  and  these  six  shall 
choose  one  man,  not  belonging  to  either  body ;  and 
these  seven  men,  by  a  majority  of  votes,  shall  de- 
termine whether  said  building  can  be  properly 
erected  on  said  grounds,  and  if  so,  what  shall  be 
the  site  and  size  of  the  same ;  and  that  this  deter- 
mination shall  be  conclusive  and  final  with  both 
parties :  Provided  nothing  contained  in  this  arti- 
cle shall  be  understood,  to  prohibit  the  General 
Assembly,  or  the  Directors  of  the  Theological  Se- 
minary from  making  use  of  any  other  ground  with- 
in the  limits  prescribed  in  article  first  for  the  pur- 
poses aforesaid. 

4.  That  the  Trustees  engage  to  the  General 
Assembly  to  grant  them  every  practicable  accom- 
modation in  the  buildings  now  existing ;  not  only 
till  others  may  be  erected  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly, but  afterwards;  so  long  as  the  same  may  be 
desirable. 


CHAP.  III.]  THE    LOCATION.  263 

5.  That  the  Trustees  engage  to  endeavour  to  re- 
ceive into  the  College  a]l  the  youth  whom  the  As- 
sembly^ or  the  Directors  by  them  appointed,  may 
send  to  it  for  the  purpose  of  education,  subject  to 
such  examination  at  entrance,  and  to  such  disci- 
pline during  their  residence  in  College,  as  the 
other  pupils  of  the  College  are  subjected  to ;  the 
Trustees  to  receive  for  the  expenses  of  board,  tui- 
tion, and  room  rent,  the  same  as  for  others ;  and 
giving  to  the  Assembly  the  assurance  that  as  pu- 
pils increase,  and  the  funds  of  the  College  will 
permit,  they  will  reduce  as  low  as  possible,  all  the 
expenses  of  the  pupils  under  their  care. 

6.  That  the  Trustees  agree  to  receive  and  hold, 
for  the  use  of  the  Assembly,  such  sums  of  money, 
as  they  may  voluntarily  choose  to  deposite  in  the 
hands  of  the  Trustees  for  improvement ;  so  as  to 
incur  no  inconvenience  to  said  Trustees  from  the 
limitation  of  their  charter  ;  and  that  such  sums  of 
money  be  accordingly  invested  in  sucli  funds  as 
the  Assembly  shall  direct ;  that  the  Trustees  pay 
the  interest  thereof  when  received  to  the  order  of 
the  Assembly,  keep  it  wholly  separate  from  the 
funds  of  the  College,  and  pay  over  or  transfer  to 
the  order  of  the  Assembly,  the  principal  sum  when- 
ever they  shall  so  direct. 

7.  That  the  Trustees  grant  to  the  professors  and 
pupils  of  the  Theological  Seminary  the  free  use 
of  the  College  library ;  subject  to  such  rules  as  may 
be  adopted  for  the  preservation  of  the  books,  and 
the  good  order  of  the  same. 

8.  That,  if  the  General  Assembly  shall  wish  to 
establish  at  Princeton  an  elementary  school,  for 
the  instruction  of  yo^th  in  sucii  learning  as  usually 


264  THfeOLeCICAL  SfiMIXAUY.         [PART  IX. 

precedes  their  entrance  into  college,  the  Trustees 
agree  to  aid  them  in  this  undertaking,  by  every 
accommodation  and  all  the  patronage  in  their 
power ;  so,  however,  as  not  to  engage  to  make 
drafts  on  the  funds  of  the  College  for  the  purpose- 

9.  That,  if  at  any  time  the  General  Assembly 
shall  find,  that  the  connexion  between  their  Semi- 
nary and  the  College  does  not  conduce  sufficiently 
to  the  great  purposes  contemplated  to  be  answered 
by  the  said  Seminary,  they  shall  be  at  liberty  to 
remove  it  to  some  other  place.  And  the  Trustees 
engage  that,  while  the  Theological  Seminary  shall 
remain  at  Princeton,  no  Professorship  of  Theology 
shall  be  established  in  the  College. 

10.  That,  whereas  the  Trustees  of  the  College 
have  in  their  hands  a  fund,  the  annual  income  of 
which  is  nearly  eighteen  hundred  dollars,  appro- 
priated by  the  donors  to  the  education  of  poor  and 
pious  youth  for  the  gospel  ministry  of  the  Presby- 
terian denomination;  the  Trustees  give  an  assu- 
rance to  the  Assembly,  that  if  the  first  of  these  ar- 
ticles take  effect,  they  will  pay  a  high  regard  to 
the  recommendation  of  the  Assembly,  or  of  their 
Directors,  as  to  the  youth  who  shall  receive  the 
benefit  of  this  fund. 

'Princeton,  June26thf  1811. 

ASHBEL  GREEN,     )      Committee  of  the 
R.  STOCKTON,  }  Trustees   of    New 

JOHN  WOODHULL,  )  Jersey  College. 

ARCHIBALD  ALEXANDER,!  ^  ...  . 
JACOB  J.  JANEWAY,  !    Comm  ttee  of 

ROBERT  RALSTON,  f      Tw 

JOHN  MCDOWELL,         ^         J  ^embiy. 


CHAP.  IV.]    MODE  OF  CHOOSING  DIRECTORS.  265 

Sect.  3.  The  Seminary  permanently  located^  in 
1813. 

The  subject  of  locating  the  Theological  Semina- 
ry permanently  having  been  postponed  yesterday, 
was  called  up  this  morning ;  and,  after  a  full  dis- 
cussion of  the  subject,  the  following  Resolution  was 
adopted  :  viz. 

Resolved^  Tliat  the  permanent  location  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  be  in  the  borough  of  Prince- 
ton, New  Jersey,  in  conformity  with  the  agreement 
with  the  Trustees  of  the  College,  signed  at  Prince- 
ton, June  26th,  1811,  and  ratified  by  the  General 
Assembly,  at  their  sessions  in  May,  1812. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


OF  THE  MODE  OF  CHOOSING  DIRECTORS  AND 
PROFESSORS. 


Sect  1.     The  mode  adopted  in  1812. 

1  HE  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  plan  to 
be  adopted  for  the  election  of  Directors  of  the  The- 
ological Seminary,  and  of  Professors  in  said  insti- 
tution  reported ;  and  their  report,  being  read  and 
amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows :  viz, 

z 


266  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINAUY.  f  PART  IX. 

1st.  That  when  the  Assembly  shall  proceed  to 
the  election  of  Directors  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary^ the  Clerk  shall  call  on  the  members  severally 
to  nominate  any  number  of  persons,  not  exceeding 
the  number  to  be  elected,  if  he  shall  think  it  expe- 
dient to  make  any  nomination. 

2nd.  That,  when  the  members  have  been  seve- 
rally called  upon,  in  the  order  of  the  roll,  to  make  a 
nomination,  agreeably  to  the  above  rule,  the  names 
of  the  persons  nominated  shall  be  immediately  read 
by  the  Clerk  for  the  information  of  the  members  ; 
and  that  on  the  day  following  the  Assembly  pro- 
ceed to  elect  by  ballot  the  whole  number  of  Direc- 
tors to  be  chosen. 

3rd.  That  two  members  be  appointed  to  take  an 
account  of  the  votes  given  for  the  candidates  nomi- 
nated for  Directors  of  said  Tlieological  Seminary, 
and  to  report  to  the  Assembly  the  number  of  votes 
for  each  of  the  said  candidates,  who  have  a  plural- 
ity of  votes,  who  shall  be  declared  duly  elected  : 
but  if  the  whole  number  to  be  elected  should  not 
be  elected,  and  two  or  more  of  the  candidates 
should  have  an  equal  number  of  votes,  then  in  that 
case  the  house  shall  proceed  to  elect  from  the  nom- 
ination a  sufficient  number  to  complete  the  Board ; 
and  shall  continue  to  vote  in  this  manner,  until  the 
the  full  number  specified,  by  the  constitution  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  be  completed. 

4th.  When  the  votes  shall  have  been  counted,  and 
the  requisite  number  of  Directors  sliall  have  been 
elected  in  the  manner  above  specified,  the  Moderator 
shall  announce  to  the  Assembly  the  names  of  those 
persons  who  shall  appear  to  have  the  highest  num- 
ber of  votes,  and  are  thus  elected. 


GHAP.  IV.]    MODE  OF  CHOOSING  DIRECTORS.  267 

5th.  That,  whenever  a  Professor  or  Professors 
are  to  be  elected,  the  Assembly  by  a  vote  shall 
determine  the  day  when  said  election  shall  be  held; 
which  day  when  said  election  shall  be  held,  shall 
be  at  least  two  days  after  the  above  determination 
has  been  made.  Immediately  after  the  vote  fixing 
the  day  has  passed,  the  Assembly  shall  have  a  sea- 
son for  special  prayer  for  direction  in  the  choice. 
The  election  in  all  cases  shall  be  made  by  ballot. 
The  ballots  having  been  counted  by  two  members 
previously  appointed,  they  shall  report  a  statement 
of  said  votes  to  the  Moderator :  and  in  case  there 
shall  appear  to  be  an  equal  number  of  votes  for 
any  two  or  more  candidates,  the  Assembly  shall 
proceed  either  immediately,  or  at  some  subsequent 
period  of  their  sessions  to  a  new  election.  The 
choice  being  made,  it  shall  be  announced  to  the 
Assembly  by  the  Moderator. — Vol.  III.  p.  62. 


Sect,  2.     An  additional  Ride  adopted,  in  1815. 

Resolved,  That  as  the  whole  number  of  the 
Directors,  is  to  be  elected  at  this  time,  the  seven 
ministers  and  the  three  elders,  who  have  the  great- 
est number  of  votes,  be  considered  as  elected  for 
three  years — the  next  highest  seven  ministers  and 
three  elders,  for  two  years — and  the  next  highest 
seven  ministers  and  three  elders,  for  one  year. 

Resolved,  further,  that  if,  in  thus  classing  the 
Directors,  any  should  be  found  to  have  an  equal 
number  of  votes,  they  may  be  classed  according  to 
seniority  in  office. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  every  year  in  their  report  to  the  Assem- 
bly, to  give  a  list  of  the  Directors,  whose  term  of 


268  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.         [PART  IX. 

service  may  have  expired,  as  well  as  of  those 
whose  seats  may  have  become  vacant  by  death, 
lesignation,  or  incapacity  to  serve. — Vol.  III.  p. 
185. 

Sect.  3.     Professors  chosen. 

The  Assembly  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Pro- 
t812  ^^ssor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Divinity  in  the 
Theological  Seminary.  After  special  prayer 
for  direction  on  the  subject,  the  ballots  were  taken 
and  read :  and  the  Rev.  Archibald  Alexander,  D.  D. 
was  declared  duly  elected.  The  election  being 
closed,  a  special  prayer  was  made  for  a  divine 
blessing  upon  the  Professor  and  the  Theological 
Seminary. 

It  being  the  order  of  the  day  the  Assembly  pro- 
.  Q|  c  ceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Professor  of  Ec- 
^*  clesiastical  History  and  Church  Govern- 
ment in  the  Theological  Seminary;  and,  the  ballots 
being  taken  and  counted,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Miller, 
D.  D.  was  declared  duly  elected. 


Sect.  4.    Five  Scholarships  have  been  founded: 


VIZ. 


.    mi-    T    x»      ci  1,  1      I,-      C  Both  founded  by 

1.  The  Le  Roy  fecho  arship,  \  ^^^  ^^^^^^  ^t 

2.  The  Jianyer  Scholarship,  )  ^       -^  Y 

3.  The  Lenox  Scholarship,  founded  by  Robert 
Lenox,  Esq.  of  New  York. 

4.  The   Whitehead   Scholarship,    founded   by 
John  Whitehead,  Esq.  of  Burke  county,  Georgia. 


€HAP.  v.]    RESOLUTIONS  OP  THE  ASSEMBLY.  269 

5.  The  Charleston  Female  Scholarship,  found- 
ed by  the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  Female 
Associations  of  Charleston,  for  assisting  in  the 
education  of  pious  youth  for  the  Gospel  Ministry. 


CHAPTER  y. 


OF  RESOLUTIONS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY  RE- 
LATIVE TO  DIRECTORS,  AGENTS,  AND 
OTHERS. 


Sect.  1.  JL  OUR  Committee  further  report,  that 
AQAA  in  their  opinion  the  Agents  should  be  in- 
structed to  use  their  utmost  exertions  to 
promote  the  formation  of  Societies,  for  the  accom- 
plisiiment  of  the  views  of  the  Assembly  on  this  im- 
portant subject. 

Sect.  2.  Resolved,  that  the  pulpits  of  the  Agents^ 
1815     ^^^^  *^^y  ^^'^  prosecuting  the  business  of* 

their  Agency,  be  supplied,  when  necessary, 
at  the  expense  of  the  Assembly ;  and  that  the  neces- 
sary expenses  of  the  Agents,  While  performing  the 
service  assigned  to  them  above  be  defrayed  from 
what  they  may  collect. 

Z  2 


270  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  [PART  IX. 

Sect,  3.  Resolved^  that  it  be^  and  hereby  is 
1815  ^S^iw^  enjoined  on  all  the  former  and  pre- 
sent Agents,  to  transmit  to  the  Rev.  John 
M^Dowel  of  Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey,  Secre- 
tary to  the  Board  of  Directors,  an  accurate  list  of 
the  names  of  the  Donors  to  the  Institution,  with 
the  sums  or  books  w  hich  they  may  have  given,  that 
they  may  be  recorded  in  the  book  kept  for  that 
purpose. 

Ilesolvedy  further,  that  if  any  of  the  Agents 
should  decline  their  appointment,  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors may,  on  receiving  information  thereof,  ap- 
point some  other  persons  in  their  place,  until  the 
meeting  of  the  next  Assembly. 

Sett.  4.  liesolvedf  That  it  be,  and  it  hereby  is, 
4QAr^  made  the  duty  of  the  agents  appointed  to 
solicit  contributions  to  the  Theological  Se- 
minary, to  lay  an  account  of  the  expenses  attending 
that  business  before  the  Assembly,  in  order  that 
the  Treasurer  may  be  authorized  to  pay  the  ac- 
counts, when  approved  by  the  Assembly. 

Sect.  5.  Resolved,  That  the  Directors  of  the 
^.  f.  Theological  Seminary  be  authorized  to  have 
printed,  when  they  may  think  it  expedient, 
a  correct  copy  of  the  Plan  of  said  Seminary;  to- 
gether with  such  other  information  relating  to  the 
Seminary  as  may  appear  to  them  important  to  be 
communicated  to  the  public. 

Sect.  6.     Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  renew 

sQAQ     the  recommendation  of  the  last  Assembly 

*    to   Presbyteries    and    Students,    that    the 


CHAP,  v.]    RESOLUTIONS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  271 

course  of  study  prescribed  by  the  Plan  of  the  Semi- 
nary be  in  every  case  completed. 

Sect.  7.  Resolved^  That  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
.o^^  the  Theological  Seminary  be  authorized  to 
fill  up  any  vacancies  that  may  be  occasioned 
by  the  failure  of  agents  appointed  by  the  Assembly; 
and,  in  case  they  hear  of  unoccupied  ground  were 
there  is  a  prospect  of  obtaining  aid,  they  have  the 
power  of  appointing  agents  for  such  places. 

Sect,  8.  Resolved,  ^  ^  *  *  * 
That  the  Board  of  Directors  take  measures  to 

18m  procure  and  have  published,  in  such  man- 
ner as  tliey  shall  think  best,  the  names  of 

the  Donors  to  the  Seminary,  and  of  the  charitable 

institutions  that  have  in  any  manner  contributed  to 

the  support  of  the  institution. 

Sect^.  Resolved,  *  *  *  ^  ^ 
That  the  Directors  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
\Hi9i  ^^  charged  Avith  preparing  and  publishing, 
as  soon  as  they  may  find  it  practicable, 
such  statement  in  regard  to  the  establishment  and 
present  state  and  circumstances  of  the  Seminary, 
as  shall  be  calculated  to  give  full  and  correct  infor- 
mation in  regard  to  it :  and  that  they  furnish  the 
agents  to  be  appointed  to  solicit  donations  and  con- 
tributions for  the  Seminary  with  a  suflBcient  num- 
ber of  copies  of  this  statement ;  and  that  the  Direc- 
tors also  take  the  most  effectual  measures  in  their 
power  to  diffuse  generally  in  the  various  parts  of 
our  country,  the  information  contemplated  by  this 
order. 


PART   X 


OF  MIJVISTERS 


AND 


saa©©ii®sriima^§a 


Sect,  1.     Ministers  should  be  supported, 

VV ITH  pain  we  have  heard,  that  in  some  parts 
of  our  church  the  disposition  to  support  the  gospel 
ministry  is  becoming  cold.  We  lament  this  ap- 
pearance the  more,  because  we  learn  that  there  is 
no  backwardness  to  advance  money  for  objects, 
which,  though  laudable  in  themselves,  are  subor- 
dinate in  im^iortance  to  the  preaching  of  the  word. 
We  trust  that  our  people  possess  too  much  good 
sense,  and  too  much  respect  for  the  God  who 
made  and  redeemed  them,  to  listen  to  the  dreams 
of  men  who  neither  know  what  they  say,  nor 
whereof  they  affirm.  These  do  not  hesitate  to  li- 
bel an  ordinance  of  the  living  God,  to  promote 
their  selfish  views,  their  degrading,  prejudices. 
God  has  said,  whosoever  serveth  at  the  altar,  shall 
live  of  the  altar.     But  these  say  no — the  ministry 


PART  X.]  OF   MINISTERS,  &C.  273 

must  be  kept  iu  want,  that  they  may  be  kept  hum- 
ble. We  fervently  wish  that  the  men  Avho  thus 
act  towards  the  ministry  would,  to  be  consistent, 
apply  their  reasonings  to  themselves.  We  do  not 
hesitate  to  say,  that  the  profession  of  religion  which 
is  connected  with  a  disposition  to  abridge  the  means 
of  supporting  the  gospel,  is,  at  best,  suspicious. 
Men  who  do  so,  practically  say,  we  love  our  bo- 
dies more  than  our  souls  ;  our  temporal  substance 
more  than  an  eternal  inheritance.  It  is  among  the 
foulest  blots  on  the  christian  name,  that,  in  so  many 
instances,  the  confession  is  made  of  the  heart  being 
opened  to  receive  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  whilst 
at  the  same  time  great  reluctance  is  displayed  in 
giving  worldly  substance,  for  the  service  of  Him 
who  alone  changes  the  heart.  One  of  the  best  evi- 
dences of  the  power  of  religion,  is  an  increase  of 
liberality  in  relation  to  all  those  objects,  which  re- 
gard the  salvation  of  souls  and  the  prosperity  of 
Zion.  We  hope  that  they  who  have  in  this  re- 
spect gone  back,  will  without  delay  retrace  their 
steps,  and  redeem  their  name  from  reproach  or  sus- 
picion.* 

Sect,  2.     Diligence  in  discharge  of  pastoral  du- 
ties enjoined  by  the  Assemhly,  in  1811. 

See  Part  III.   Chap.  11.  Sect.  21.  No.  4. 
Sect.  3.     Ministers  should  persuade  their  peo- 

*  An  extract  from  the  narative  on  the  slate  of  religion  for  1811. 


274  OF  MINISTERS  [PART  X. 

j>le  to  make  liberal  contributions  in  aid  of  the  As- 
sembly^s  funds. 

See  Part  lU.   Chap.  II.   Sect.  21.  No.  5. 

Sect.  4.  The  question  whether  it  is  proper  for 
a  Minister  to  hold  a  civil  office  answered  by  the  Jl^- 
sejnbli/y  in  1806. 

The  committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  com- 
muiiicatioii  from  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  respecting 
the  Rev.  B.  M.  and  his  letter  to  the  Moderator  of 
the  Assembly^  exhibited  their  report.  The  report 
having  been  read  and  amended,  was  adopted  and 
is  as  follows: 

With  respect  to  the  abstract  question,  whether 
the  tenure  of  a  civil  Office  be,  or  be  not,  incompati- 
ble with  that  of  the  holy  Ministry  ;  your  committee 
are  of  opinion  that  there  is  nothing  in  the  holy 
scriptures,  or  in  the  constitution,  acts  or  proceed- 
ings of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  these  Uni- 
ted States,  expressly  prohibiting  of  such  union  of 
Offices. 

With  respect  to  the  particular  case  referred  to 
their  consideration,  as  Mr.  M.  in  his  letter  ex- 
pressly asserts,  that  it  is  not  his  intention  to  de- 
cline the  Office  of  the  Holy  Ministry,  and  that  he 
was  led  to  devote  himself,  for  the  present,  to  the 
functions  of  an  associate  judge,  by  a  state  of  health 
go  infirm,  as  to  interrupt  the  regular  discharge  of  his 
public  duties  as  a  Minister  of  religion;  your  Com- 
mittee are  of  opinion,  that  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio 
ought  not  to  censure  him,  unless  there  be  some 
circumstance*,  in  the  case,  unknown  to  the  Assem- 
bly. 


PART  X.]  AND  MISSIOXARIES.  275 

That  none^  however,  may  so  far  misconstrue 
these  sentiments,  as  to  persuade  themselves  that 
they  countenance  a  covetous,  ambitious  spirit,  your 
committee  further  beg  leave  to  suggest  the  pro- 
priety, of  cautioning  your  clergy  against  worldly 
mindedness ;  of  exhorting  them  not  to  aspire  after 
places  of  emolument  or  civil  distinction;  of  remind- 
ing them,  that  the  cure  of  souls  is  their  peculiar  bu- 
siness ;  and  that  they  who  serve  at  the  altar  ought, 
as  far  as  possible,  to  avoid  temporal  avocations. — 
Vol.  II.  p.  172. 

Sect.  5.  Portions  of  the  Printed  Extracts  to 
he  selected  for  reading  to  their  jjeojile. 

On  motion  Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended  to 
all  the  ministers  within  the  bounds  of  this  Assem- 
bly to  read,  every  year,  such  parts  of  the  printed 
extracts  of  the  Assembly,  as  they  may  judge  pro- 
per and  useful.— 1801.    *^Vol.  I.  p.  272. 

Sect.  6.  A  particular  line  of  conduct  in  re- 
gard to  Duellists  recommended  by  the  Assembly^  in 
1805. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  pro- 
position from  thePresbytery  of  Baltimore  respecting 
duelling,  exhibited  their  report.  The  report  being 
read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 
viz. 

The  General  Assembly  having  taken  into  serious 
consideration  the  unhappy  prevalence  of  the  prac- 
tice of  duelling  in  the  United  States,  and  being 
anxiously  desirous  of  contributing  what  may  be  in 


276  OF  MINISTERS  [part  X. 

their  power,  consistently  with  their  character  and 
situation,  to  discountenance  and  aholish  this  prac- 
tice ; 

Resolved  unanimously,  that  they  do,  in  the  most 
unequivocal  manner,  declare  their  utter  abhorence 
of  the  practice  of  duelling ;  and  of  all  measures 
tending  thereto,  as  originating  from  the  malevolent 
dispositions  of  the  human  heart  and  a  false  sense 
of  honour ;  as  a  remnant  of  Gothic  barbarism  ;  as 
implying  a  presumptuous  and  highly  criminal  ap- 
peal to  God,  as  the  Sovereign  Judge  ;  as  utterly  in- 
consistent with  every  just  principle  of  moral  con- 
duct ;  as  a  direct  violation  of  the  sixth  command- 
ment, and  destructive  of  the  peace  and  happiness  of 
families  :  and  the  Assembly  do  hereby  recommend 
it,  to  the  ministers  in  their  connection,  to  discoun- 
tenance, by  all  proper  means  in  their  power,  this 
scandalous  practice. 

llesolved,  also,  that  it  be  recommended  to  all 
the  ministers  under  the  care  of  the  Assembly,  that 
they  scrupulously  refuse  to  attend  the  funeral  of 
any  person  w  ho  shall  have  fallen  in  a  duel ;  and 
that  they  admit  no  person,  who  shall  have  fought 
a  duel,  given  or  accepted  a  challenge,  or  been  ac- 
cessary thereto,  unto  the  distinguished  privileges 
of  the  church,  until  he  manifest  a  just  sense  of  his 
guilt,  and  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  repentance. 

Sect.  7.  Concert  jirayer  meetings  sJiould  be 
promoted. 

Whereas,  the  King  and  head  of  the  Church  has, 
during  the  last  year,  poured  out  his  Spirit,  in  a  re- 
markable and  glorious  manner,  on  many  of  the 


PART.  X.]  AND  MISSIONARIES.  277 

churches  within  our  bounds,  and  has  manifestly 
succeeded  the  efforts  of  Christians  in  years  past,  in 
their  endeavours  to  diffuse  the  light  of  revealed 
truth  among  the  heathen ;  and  has  hereby  encour- 
aged and  urged  the  pious  to  united  and  importu- 
nate wrestling  at  the  throne  of  grace : — And 
whereas  many  Christians  in  Asia,  Africa  and 
Europe,  have  agreed  to  set  apart  the  first  Mon- 
day evening  of  every  month,  that  they  may  meet 
together,  and  say,  with  one  heart,  to  the  prayer 
hearing  God,  ^^Thy  kingdom  come;  Come,  Lord 
Jesus,  and  fill  the  world  with  thy  glory ;''  There- 
fore, 

Resolved,  that  this  General  Assembly  do  approve 
of  concerts  of  prayer  for  the  advancement  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  and  do  recommend  it  to  the 
friends  of  Zion  in  their  connexion,  as  far  as  may 
be  convenient,  to  spend  the  first  Monday  evening  in 
every  month  in  special  prayer  to  God,  for  the  com- 
ing and  glorious  reign  of  Christ  on  earth. — 1815. 
Vol.  III.  p.  215.  ^ 

Sect,  8.  To  refrain  from  offering  ardent  spi- 
rits. 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  over- 
ture from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  jpro- 
posing  the  adoption  of  measures  to  restrain  vice  in 
general,  and  the  intemperate  use  of  ardent  spirits 
in  particular,  reported ;  and  their  report  being  read 
and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows; 
viz. 

That  this  Assembly  recommend  to  the  minis- 
ters, and  M  the  people  under  their  care,  to  use 

A  a 


278  OF  MINISTERS  [PART  X. 

their  influence  in  forming  associations  for  the  sup- 
pression of  vice^  and  the  encouragement  of  good 
morals:  and 

That  it  be  recommended  to  the  ministers,  elders, 
and  deacons  of  the  Presbyterian  churches,  to  re- 
frain from  offering  ardent  spirits  to  those  who  may 
visit  them  at  their  respective  houses,  except  in  ex- 
traordinary cases. — 1818. 


Sect.  9.  Tb  endeavour  to  suppress  the  sin  of 
intemperance. 

See  Part  IV.  Chap.  IV,  Sect.  10. 

Sect.  10.  It  is  the  duty  of  preachers  travelling 
to  officiate  in  the  Eastern  States^  to  have  their 
qualifications  certified  by  one  or  more  of  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  for  the  purpose. 

See  Part  XL  Chap.  II.  Sect.  1.  and  Chap. 
m.  Sect.  3,  4. 

Sect,  11.  Missionaries  may  administer  ordi- 
nances. 

It  was  moved  that  the  restriction  laid  by  the 
last  General  Assembly  on  our  Missionaries,  which 
confines  them  to  administer  tlie  ordinance  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  in  places  only  where  there  are 
church  officers  regularly  appointed,  be  repealed, 
and  it  was  repealed  accordingly. — 1798.  Vol.  I. 
p,  167. 


PART  X.]  AND  MISSIONARIES.  27ft 

Sect,  12.  They  must  pay  a  strict  regard  to 
the  instructions  of  the  Board  of  Missions, 

Resolved,  That  as  reasons  unknown  to  the  Mis- 
sionaries, may  often  influence  the  Committee  of 
Missions  in  designating  their  routes,  the  Mission- 
aries be  directed  to  pay  a  strict  regard  to  their  in- 
structions, and  not  to  deviate  from  their  prescribed 
course,  except  where  insurmountable  obstacles  oc- 
cur.—1806.     Vol.  n.  p.  166. 


PART    XI 


®W  lim'^Mlji(§(^WlEUM 


WITH- 


OTHER  CHURCHES 


CHAPTER  I. 


OF  THE   MANNER   OF   RECEIVING   MINISTERS 
AND  LICENTIATES  INTO  OUR  CHURCH. 


Sect.  1.  Regulations  relating  to  Foreign  Min- 
isters and  Licentiates  adopted^  in  1800. 

J-  HE  draught  of  certain  regulations  respecting  the 
admission  of  foreign  ministers  and  licentiates,  re- 
ported hy  the  committee  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose, was  again  read ;  and  having  been  fully  consi- 
dered and  amended,  was  adopted  by  a  large  ma- 
jority, and  is  as  follows  :  viz. 

"  When  any  minister  or  licentiate  from  Europe, 
shall  come  into  this  country  and  desire  to  become 
connected  with   the  Presbyterian  church  in  the 


CHAP.  I.]  FOREIGN  MINISTERS.  281 

United  States,  he  may  apply  to  any  committee  ap- 
pointed to  direct  the  sefv  ices  of  travelling  ministers 
and  candidates  ;  which  committee  shall  inspect  his 
credentials,  and,  by  examination  or  otherwise,  endea- 
vour to  ascertain  his  soundness  in  the  faith  and 
experimental  acquaintance  with  religion,  his  at- 
tainments in  divinity  and  literature,  his  moral  and 
religious  character  and  approbation  of  our  public 
standard  of  doctrine  and  discipline  :  if  the  result 
shall  be  such  as  to  encourage  further  trial,  said 
committee  may  give  him  appointments  to  supply 
and  recommend  him  to  the  churches,  till  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Presbytery  to  which  said  committee 
belongs.  It  shall  then  become  the  duty  of  such 
minister  or  licentiate  to  apply  to  that  Presbytery^ 
or  to  any  other  in  wliose  bounds  he  may  incline  to 
labour  ;  provided  always  that  he  make  his  applica- 
tion to  the  Presbytery  at  their  first  meeting  after  his 
coming  within  their  bounds  :  And  also  that  imme- 
diately on  coming  within  the  bounds  of  any  Pres- 
bytery, he  apply  to  their  committee,  to  judge  of  hisi^ 
certificate  of  approbation,  and,  if  they  think  it  ex- 
pedient, to  make  him  appointments  ;  or  if  it  shall 
be  more  convenient,  the  application  may  be  made 
to  the  Presbytery  in  the  first  instance ;  but  it  shall 
be  deemed  irregular  for  any  foreign  minister  or  li- 
centiate to  preach  in  any  vacant  church,  till  he  shall 
have  obtained  the  approbation  of  some  Presbytery 
or  committee  of  Presbytery  in  raaaner  aforesaid. 
The  Presbytery  to  which  such  minister  or  licenti- 
ate may  apply,  shall  carefully  examine  his  creden- 
tials, and  not  sustain  a  mere  certificate  of  good 
standing,  unless  corroborated  by  such  pri\  ate  let- 
ters or  other  collateral  testimony  as  shall  fully  sa- 
tisfy them  as  to  the  authenticity  and  sufBciency  of 

A  a  2 


282  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  XT. 

Ills  iLstimonials.  After  inspecting  any  evidences 
of  his  literary  acqiiirementsifwhicii  may  be  laid  be- 
fore them,  the  Presbytery  shall  enter  into  a  free 
conversation  Avith  him,  in  order  to  discover  hig 
soundness  in  the  faith,  and  experimental  acquain- 
tance with  religion.  If  tliey  sliall  obtain  satisfac- 
tion on  these  several  articles,  they  shall  proceed 
to  examine  him  on  tlie  learned  languages,  the  arts, 
sciences,  theology,  church  history  and  government; 
nor  shall  they  receive  him,  unless  he  shall  appear 
to  have  made  such  attainments  in  these  several 
branches,  as  are  required  of  those  who  receive  their 
education  or  pass  their  trials  among  ourselves.  But 
if  upon  the  whole  he  appear  to  be  a  person  worthy 
of  encouragement,  and  wlio  promises  usefulness  in 
the  church,  they  shall  receive  him  as  a  minister  or 
candidate  on  probation:  lie  first  adopting  our  stand- 
ards of  doctrine  and  discipline,  and  promising  sub- 
jection to  the  Presbytery  in  the  Lord.  During 
this  state  of  probation,  he  may  preach  the  gospel 
where  regularly  called,  either  as  a  stated  or  occa- 
>sional  supply,  and  if  an  ordained  minister,  perform 
every  part  of  tiie  ministerial  functions,  except  that 
he  may  not  vote  in  any  judicatory,  or  accept  a  call 
for  settlement. 

If  the  foreigner  w  ho  shall  apply  to  any  commit- 
tee or  Presbytery  as  aforesaid  be  an  ordained  min- 
ister, such  committee  and  Presbytery  may,  at  their 
discretion,  dispense  with  the  sjiecial  examination 
on  literature  in  this  act  prescribed ;  provided  he 
shall  exhibit  satisfactory  evidence  that  he  has  re- 
ceived such  education  and  made  such  progress  in 
languages,  arts  and  sciences,  as  are  required  by  the 
constitution  of  our  church  as  qualifications  for  the 
gospel  ministry;  but  in  all  other  respects  the  exami- 


CHAP.  I.]  FOREIGN  MINISTERS.  283 

nation  shall  be  the  same  as  in  the  case  of  a  licen- 
tiate. 

If  from  prospects  of  settlement  or  of  greater  use- 
fulness, a  minister  or  licentiate  under  probation  in 
any  Presbytery,  shall  wish  to  move  into  the  bounds 
of  another,  he  shall  receive  a  dismission  containing 
a  certificate  of  his  standing  and  character  from  the 
Presbytery  under  whose  care  he  shall  have  been  : 
wiiich  certificate  shall  entitle  iiira  to  the  same  stand- 
ing in  the  Presbytery  into  Avhose  bounds  he  shall 
move  ;  except  that  from  the  time  of  his  coming  uq- 
der  the  care  of  this  latter  Presbytery,  a  whole 
year  shall  elapse  before  they  come  to  a  final  judg- 
ment respecting  his  reception. 

When  any  foreign  minister  or  licentiate  receiv- 
ed on  certificate,  or  pursuant  to  trials  in  any  Pres- 
bytery shall  have  resided  generally  and  preached 
within  their  bounds  and  under  their  direction  for 
at  least  one  year,  they  shall  cause  him  to  preach 
before  them,  (if  they  judge  it  expedient;)  and  taking 
into  consideration  as  well  the  evidence  derived 
from  their  trials,  as  that  which  may  arise  from  his 
acceptance  in  the  churches,  his  prudence,  gravity 
and  godly  conversation,  shall,  from  the  combined 
evidence  of  the  whole,  determine  either  to  receive 
him,  to  reject  him,  or  to  hold  him  under  further 
probation.  In  case  of  receiving  him  at  that  subse- 
quent period,  the  Presbytery  shall  report  the  same 
to  their  Synod  at  its  next  meeting,  together  with  all 
the  certificates  and  other  testimony  on  which  they 
received  him,  or,  if  it  shall  be  more  convenient,  this 
may  be  made  to  the  General  Assembly. 

The  said  Assembly  or  Synod  (as  the  case  may 
be)  shall  then  inquire  into  the  proceedings  of  the 
Presbytery  in  the  affair;  and  if  they  find  them  to 


284  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI. 

have  been  irregular  or  deficient,  they  shall  recom- 
mit them  to  the  Presbytery  in  order  to  a  more  re- 
gular and  perfect  process.  But  if  the  proceedings 
had  in  the  Presbytery  appear  to  have  been  con- 
formable to  this  regulation,  they  shall  carefully  ex- 
amine all  the  papers  laid  before  them  by  the  Pres- 
bytery or  which  shall  be  exhibited  by  the  party 
concerned,  and  considering  their  credibility  and 
sufficiency,  come  to  a  final  judgment,  either  to  re- 
ceive him  into  the  Presbyterian  body  agreeably  to 
his  standing,  or  to  reject  him. 

In  order  however  to  facilitate  the  settlement  of 
foreign  ministers  as  soon  as  may  consist  with  the 
purity  and  order  of  the  church,  it  is  further  ordain- 
ed, that  if  the  proper  Synod  or  the  General  As- 
sembly are  not  to  meet  within  three  months  after 
that  meeting  of  a  Presbytery  at  which  a  foreign 
minister  on  probation  is  expected  to  be  received, 
the  Presbytery  may  (if  they  see  cause)  lay  his  tes- 
timonials before  that  meeting  of  the  Assembly  or 
Synod  which  shall  be  held  next  before  said  meeting 
of  the  Presbytery.  If  this  Assembly  or  Synod 
shall  approve  the  testimonials,  they  shall  give  the 
Presbytery  such  information  and  direction  as  the 
case  may  require,  and  remit  the  same  to  them  for 
final  issue. 

In  all  other  cases  it  shall  be  deemed  irregular 
for  any  Synod  or  General  Assembly  to  receive  a 
foreign  minister  or  licentiate,,  until  he  shall  have 
passed  his  period  of  probation  and  been  received 
and  reported  by  some  Presbytery  in  manner  afore- 
said. iVo  minister  or  licentiate,  after  being  re- 
jected by  one  Presbytery,  shall  be  received  by  ano- 
ther, or  if  received  through  mistake  or  otherwise^ 


CHAP.  I.]  FOREIGN  MINISTERS.  285 

he  shall  no  longer  be  countenanced  or  employed 
after  the  imposition  is  discovered. 

If  however  any  minister  or  licentiate  shall  think 
himself  aggrieved  by  the  sentence  of  any  Presbyte- 
ry, he  shall  have  a  right  to  carry  the  matter  by  com- 
plaint to  the  proper  Synod,  or  the  next  General  As- 
sembly, giving  jaotice  thereof  to  the  Presbytery 
during  the  meeting  at  which  the  sentence  was  pro- 
nounced, or  at  the  meeting  next  following. 

These  regulations  and  provisions  relative  to  the 
reception  of  foreign  ministers  and  licentiates,  are  to 
be  considered  as  coming  in  place  of  all  that  have 
heretofore  been  established  on  this  subject;  and  all 
judicatures  and  individuals  under  the  care  of  the 
Assembly,  are  to  regard  them  accordingly.  Vol.  I. 
p.  230. 

Sect.  2.  Remarks  relative  to  the  preceding  re- 
gulations. 

The  necessity  of  guarding  against  the  admission 
of  ministers  or  licentiates  coming  from  abroad  de- 
fective in  point  either  of  orthodoxy  or  piety,  was 
felt  by  the  late  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia, at  an  early  period.  In  the  year  1764  they 
adopted  a  rule  on  this  subject,  which  was  further 
explained  the  next  year.  See  their  records  p.  80 
and  p.  91.  In  the  year  1774,  they  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing regulations,  which  were  unanimously  ap- 
proved. 

Whereas,  it  is  of  the  iiighest  importance  to  the 
interest  of  the  Redeemers  Kingdom,  that  the  grea- 
test care  be  observed  by  church  judicatures,  to 
maintain  orthodoxy  in  doctrine,  and  piuity  in  prac- 
tice, in  all  their  members  5  this  Synod  in  addition 


286  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI. 

to  the  agreement  upon  this  head  in  the  year  1764, 
and  further  explained  in  the  year  1765,  do  most 
earnestly  recommend  to  all  their  Presbyteries,  to  be 
very  strict  and  careful  respecting  those  matters ; 
especially  in  examining  the  certificates  and  testimo- 
nials of  ministers  and  probationers,  who  come  from 
foreign  churches  :  And  that  they  be  very  cautious 
about  receiving  them,  unless  the  authority  of  their 
certificates  and  testimonials  be  supported  by  pri- 
vate letters,  or  other  credible  and  sufficient  evi- 
dence. And,  in  order  more  effectually  to  preserve 
this  Synod,  our  Presbyteries  and  Congregations, 
from  imposition  and  abuse ;  every  year,  when  any 
Presbytery  may  report  that  they  have  received  any 
minister  or  probationer  from  a  foreign  church,  that 
Presbytery  shall  lay  before  the  Synod  the  testi- 
monials, and  all  other  certificates,  upon  which  they 
received  such  minister  or  probationer,  for  the  satis- 
faction of  the  Synod,  before  such  minister  or  pro- 
bationer shall  be  enrolled  as  a  member  of  our  body. 
And  if  the  Synod  shall  find  the  said  testimonials 
false  or  insufficient,  the  whole  proceedings  held  by 
the  Presbytery  on  the  admission  shall  be  held  to 
be  void  ;  and  the  Presbytery  shall  not,  from  that 
time,  receive  or  acknowledge  him  as  a  member  of 
this  body,  or  in  ministerial  communion  with  us — 
And,  on  the  other  hand,  when  any  ministers  or 
probationers  from  any  foreign  church  shall  come 
duly  recommended,  as  above,  we  will  gladly  re- 
ceive them  as  brethren,  and  give  them  every  en- 
couragement in  our  power. — p.  269. 

To  awaken  the  attention  of  the  Presbyteries  to 
this  important  subject,  these  injunctions  were  re- 
newed in  1784. 


CHAP.  I.]  FOREIGN  MISSIONS.  287 

The  Synod,  having  reason,  by  information 
given  since  their  present  meeting,  to  apprehend  the 
Churches  under  their  care  in  imminent  danger 
from  ministers  and  licensed  candidates  of  unsound 
principles  coming  among  us,  do  hereby  renew 
their  former  injunctions  to  the  respective  Presby- 
teries within  their  bounds,  relative  to  this  mat- 
ter ;  and  do  also  strictly  enjoin  on  every  member 
of  this  body,  under  pain  of  censure,  to  be  particu- 
larly careful  in  this  respect.  And  the  Stated  Clerk 
is  hereby  directed  to  furnish  each  of  our  Presbyte- 
ries with  an  attested  copy  of  the  said  injunctions, 
together  with  a  copy  of  this  minute. — Page  373. 

In  the  year  1798  the  General  Assembly  adopted 
certain  '^  regulations  intended  to  embrace  and  ex- 
tend the  existing  rules,  respecting  the  reception  of 
foreign  ministers  and  licentiates.''  See  Vol.  I.  p. 
168.  The  next  year  the  Presbytery  of  New  York 
requested  the  Assembly  to  reconsider  and  rescind 
these  regulations,  which  produced  the  following 
justification  of  them : 

The  committee  appointed  to  state  the  grounds 
on  which  the  Assembly  has  thought  proper  not  to 
comply  with  the  request  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York,  to  reconsider  and  rescind  the  regulations 
established  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  relative 
to  the  introduction  of  foreign  ministers.  Reported 
as  follows :  Your  committee  to  state,  &c.  beg 
leave  to  report, 

1.  That  the  first  reason  assigned  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  New  York,  for  their  request,  is  founded  on 
a  mis -interpretation  of  an  ambiguous  expression  in 
the  constitution.  The  sixth  section  of  the  11th 
chap,  is  thus  expressed,  ^^  Before  any  overtures  or 


288  tNTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI, 

regulations  jjroposed  hy  the  Assembly  as  standing 
RULES  shall  be  obligatory  on  the  churches^  it  shall  be 
necessary  to  transmit  them  to  all  the  Presbyteries ^ 
and  to  receive  the  returns  of  at  least,  a  majority 
of  the  Presbyteries  in  writing,  approving  thereof  ^^ 

Standing  rules,  in  this  section  can  refer  only  to 
one  of  the  following  objects — 1st.  To  articles  of 
the  constitution,  vvhicli  when  once  established,  are 
unalterable  by  the  Assembly — or  2ndly.  To  every 
rule  or  law  enacted  without  any  term  of  limitation 
expressed  in  the  act.  The  latter  meaning  would 
draw  after  it  consequences  so  extensive  and  inju- 
rious, as  forbid  the  Assembly  to  give  the  section 
that  interpretation.  It  weuld  reduce  this  Assem- 
bly to  a  mere  committee  to  prepare  business  upon 
which  the  Presbyteries  might  act.  It  would  undo, 
ivith  few  exceptions,  all  the  rules  that  have  been 
established  by  this  Assembly  since  its  first  institu- 
tion, and  would  prevent  it  forever  from  establishing 
any  rule  not  limited  in  the  terms  of  the  act  itself. 
Besides,  standing  rules  in  the  evident  sense  of  the 
constitution,  cannot  be  predicated  of  any  act  made 
b;^  the  Assembly  and  repealable  by  it;  because  they 
are  limited  in  their  very  nature,  to  the  duration  of 
a  year,  if  it  please  the  Assembly  to  exert  the 
power  inherent  in  it  at  all  times  to  alter  or  annul 
them,  and  they  continue  to  be  rules  only  by  the 
Assembly's  not  using  its  power  of  repeal.  The 
law  in  question,  is  no  otherwise  a  standing  rule, 
than  all  other  laws  repealable  by  this  Assembly. 

2d.  The  Presbytery  of  New  York  also  imputes 
to  these  rules  a  defect  of  charity  towards  foreign 
churchps.  The  charity  of  this  Assembly  for  fo- 
reign churches  is  undiminished.     The  rule  is  esta- 


CIIAP.  1.3  FOREIGN  MINISTEB9*  289 

blished  to  guard  as  far  as  possible  against  impos- 
tors, who  plead  a  relation  to  those  churches  which 
they  do  not  actually  hold.  The  churches  in  Amer- 
ica have  so  frequently  and  so  severely  suffered  by 
impostors  of  this  description — and  our  relative  po- 
sition to  Europe,  and  the  newness  of  our  country, 
render  impositions  so  easy,  and  detection  so  diffi- 
cult, that  rules  too  scrupulous  on  this  subject  can 
hardly  be  adopted.  The  existing  rule,  although 
somewhat  irksome  to  good  men,  will  be  cheerfully 
submitted  to  for  the  superior  interests  of  religion^ 
Nay,  it  is  believed,  that  such  men,  grieved  at  the 
dishonour  brought  upon  the  churches  of  their  na- 
tive country  by  unworthy  emigrants  from  them  into 
this,  will  readily  co-operate  with  the  Assembly  iu 
every  measure  that  will  contribute  to  preserve  the 
purity  and  respect  of  their  name,  and  by  a  state  of 
probationary  trial  will  tend  to  discriminate  between 
meritorious  and  unworthy  ministers  who  shall  of- 
fer their  services  to  our  churches. 

3rd.  An  inconsistency  is  supposed  further  to 
exist  in  one  part  of  the  rule  to  another ;  because, 
it  permits  Colleges,  Academies,  and  individual 
Churches,  to  call  from  Europe  to  this  country,  men 
of  known  and  good  character  to  preside  over  them, 
without  subjecting  such  men  to  the  probation  pre- 
scribed in  other  cases.  Your  committee  do  not 
perceive  the  inconsistency  that  has  been  attempted 
to  be  pointed  out;  especially  as  no  individual 
church  can  call  a  minister  from  abroad  more  than 
at  home  without  the  permission  and  advice  of  the 
Presbytery  to  which  it  is  attached,  and  who  will, 
in  ordinary  cases,  be  able  to  preserve  it  from  impo- 
sition.    The  Assembly  however  might  not  object 

B  b 


390  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI. 

to  a  modification  of  the  mle  as  far  as  it  relates  to 
Academies,  unconnected  with  pastoral  charges. 

4th.  The  Presbytery  of  ISew  York  likewise 
deems  this  rule  unnecessary.  The  greater  part  of 
the  Presbyteries  composing  tlus  Assembly,  as  far 
as  their  opinions  can  be  now  collected,  esteem  it 
useful.  Time  will  either  confirm  its  utility,  or 
point  out  the  amendments  of  which  it  is  suscep- 
tible. 

Your  committee  farther  advise  a  reference  of  this 
article  of  the  constitution  to  the  respective  Presby- 
teries for  their  interpretation  ;  at  the  same  time  re- 
commending to  them  to  advise  and  empower  the 
next  Assembly  to  substitute  the  phrase  canstitution- 
al  rules,  in  this  article,  in  the  room  of  standing 
rules. 

The  above  report  w  as  accepted,  and  ordered  to  be 
inserted  on  the  minutes :  and  agreeably  to  tlie  last 
article,  the  respective  Presbyteries  were,  and  they 
are  hereby  required  to  send  up  to  the  next  Assem- 
bly their  opinion  on  the  section  of  the  constitution 
referred  to ;  and  if  they  think  proper,  to  advise  and 
empower  said  Assembly  to  make  the  alteration 
therein  proposed  in  the  phraseology  of  this  section, 
according  to  the  mode  pointed  out  in  the  constitu- 
tion for  efi'ecting  any  alteration  in  tliat  instrument. 
—Vol.  I.  p.  201. 

The  Assembly  in  1800  appointed  "a  committee 
to  consider  the  regulations  made  by  the  Assembly^ 
in  1798  respecting  the  introduction  of  foreign  min- 
isters, and  to  report  such  modifications  and  amend- 
ments of  the  same''  as  miglit  "  appear  conducive 
to  the  general  interests  of  the  church.*' — Vol.  I.  p. 
220.  This  committee  reported;  and  the  regular 
tions  stated  above  were  adopted. 


CHAP.  1.3  FOREIGN  MINISTERS.  2^1 

Sect.  3.     Rules  relating  to  a  Methodist  min- 
ister. 

A  petition  was  laid  before  the  General  Assem- 
17Q2  ^^^  ^^'^^  ^^^  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
Island  of  Jamaica,  requesting  the  settlement 
of  a  Mr.  Enoch  Matson,  an  elder  formerly  con- 
nected with  the  Methodist  church,  who  was  re- 
presented as  willing  to  subscribe  the  doctrine,  dis- 
cipline and  government  of  the  Presbyterian  cliurch; 
accompanied  with  a  request  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Baltimore  for  direction  in  what  manner  to  pro- 
ceed in  receiving  him  into  this  church.  On  mature 
deliberation,  the  Assembly  recommended  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Baltimore  to  proceed  in  receiving 
Mr.  Matson  to  trials  for  the  Ministry  in  the  same 
manner  as  if  no  licensure  or  ordination  by  the  Me- 
thodist church  had  taken  place. — Vol.  I.  p.  59. 

The  Committee  of  Overtures  brought  in  the  fol- 
iftin  ^^^vi^^S  i*esolution,  which,  having  been  read 
and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  viz.  Resolved^  That  in  the  opinion  of  this 
Assembly,  the  decision  of  the  General  Assembly, 
in  1792,  and  referred  to  by  the  Assembly  of  1800, 
respecting  the  reordinatlon  of  ministers  regularly 
ordained  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
desiring  to  connect  themselves  with  the  Presbyte- 
rian church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  how- 
ever expedient  at  t]iQ  time  of  its  formation,  ought 
not  to  be  considered  as  a  precedent  to  guide  the  fu- 
ture decisions  of  the  judicatories  of  this  church;  and 
that  the  Presbyteries  under  the  care  of  this  Assem- 
bly, when  they  receive  into  their  connexion  an  or- 


292  IKTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI. 

dained  minister  from  any  other  denomination,  be 
careful  to  record  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and 
the  reasons  which  induced  them  to  receive  such 
ordained  ministers. — Vol.  II,  p.  318. 


CHAPTER  U. 


9F  THE  GENERAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  CONNEC 
TICUT. 


Sect,  1.  A  plan  of  union  and  corresjjondenee 
adopted  by  the  Assembly^  in  1792. 

A  HE  minutes  of  the  Convention  of  the  Commit- 
tees of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States,  and  of  the  General 
Association  of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  were  ta- 
ken into  consideration,  an  extract  of  which  is  as 
follows  :^ 

"  Considering  the  importance  of  union  and  har- 
mony, in  the  Christian  Church,  and  the  duty  in- 
cumbent on  all  its  pastors  and  members  to  assist 
each  other,  in  promoting,  as  far  as  possible,  tlie 


*  This  convenrion  originated  in  measures  adopted  by  the  General 
Assembly  in  1790  and  1791,  for  afllectin^  this  union  of  intercourse. 


CHAP.  II.]  CONNECTICUT.  298 

general  interest  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  ;  and 
considering  further,  that  divine  Providence  ap- 
pears to  be  now  opening  the  door  for  pursuing 
these  valuable  objects,  with  a  happy  prospect  of 
success  ; 

This  convention  are  of  opinion,  that  it  will  be 
conducive  to  these  important  purposes — 

That  n  Standing  Committee  of  Correspondence, 
be  appointed  in  each  bod}^,  whose  duty  it  shall  be, 
by  frequent  letters,  to  communicate  to  each  other, 
whatever  may  be  mutually  useful  to  the  churches 
under  their  care,  and  to  the  general  interest  of  the 
Redeemer's  Kingdom. 

Thai  each  body  should  from  time  to  time  ap- 
point a  committee  consisting  of  three  members,  who 
shall  have  a  right  to  sit  in  the  other's  general  meet- 
ing, and  make  such  communications  as  shall  be 
directed  by  their  respective  constituents,  and  deli- 
berate on  such  matters  as  shall  come  before  the 
body ;  but  shall  have  no  right  to  vote. 

That  effectual  measures  be  mutually  taken  to 
prevent  injuries  to  the  respective  churches,  from 
irregular  and  unauthorised  preachers. 

To  promote  this  end,  the  convention  judge  it  ex- 
pedient, that  every  preacher,  travelling  from  the 
limits  of  one  of  these  churches  into  those  of  the 
other,  shall  be  furnished  with  recent  testimonials^ 
of  his  regular  standing,  and  good  character  as  a 
preacher,  signed  by  the  Moderator  of  the  Presby- 
tery, or  Association,  in  which  he  received  his  li- 
cense ;  or,  if  a  minister,  of  his  good  standing  and 
character  as  such,  from  the  Moderator  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, or  Association,  where  he  last  resided,  and 
that  he  shall,  previously  to  his  travelling  as  a 
preacher  into  distant  parts,  further  receive  a  recom- 

B  b  2 


294  INTEUCOUUSE.  fPART  XI. 

mendation,  from  one  member,  at  least  of  a  stand- 
ing committee  to  be  hereafter  appointed  by  each 
body,  certifying  his  good  qualifications  as  a 
preacher. 

Also,  that  tJic  names  of  this  standing  committee, 
shall  be  mutually  communicated,  and  also  that  every 
preacher  travelling,  and  recommended  as  above, 
and  submitting  to  the  stated  rules  of  the  respective 
churches,  shall  be  received  as  an  authorised 
preacher  of  the  gospel,  and  cheerfully  taken  under 
the  patronage  of  the  Presbytery,  or  Assochition, 
^vithin  whose  limits  he  shall  find  employment  as  a 
preacher  :  And 

That  the  proceedings  of  the  respective  hodies,  on 
this  report,  be  communicated  to  our  brethren  of  the 
Congregational  and  Presbyterian  churches  through- 
out the  states.*^ 

Upon  mature  deliberation,  the  Assembly  unani- 
mously and  cordially  approved  of  the  said  plan, 
and  to  carry  the  same  into  eifect,  appointed — The 
Hev.  Dr.  John  Rogers,  Dr.  John  Witherspoon  and 
Dr.  Ashbel  Green,  to  be  a  committee  of  correspon- 
dence, agreeably  to  the  said  plan  :  and  it  is  more- 
over agreed,  that  this  Assembly,  will  send  dele- 
gates, to  sit  and  consult  with  the  General  Associa- 
tion of  Connecticut,  and  receive  their  delegates  to 
sit  in  this  Assembly,  agreeably  to  another  article 
of  the  plan,  as  soon  as  due  information  shall  be  re- 
ceived that  it  is  adopted  on  the  part  of  the  General 
Association  of  Connecticut. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  JVI^Knight,  Dr.  M^Whorter,  Mr. 
James  WoodhuU,  Dr.  8.  S.  Smith,  Dr.  Alison, 
Dr.  Nesbitt,  Mr.  John  B.  Smith,  Mr.  Graham, 
Mr.  Lacy,  Mr.  M^Call,  Mr.  McDonald,  and  Dr. 


CHAP.  II.]  CONNECTICUT.  295 

M^Corkle,*  were  appointed  a  standing  committee 
to  certify  the  good  qualifications  of  the  preachers 
travelling  to  officiate  in  the  bounds  of  the  Associa- 
tion of  the  state  of  Connecticut ;  and  it  was  more- 
over agreed,  that  any  preacher  travelling  as  afore- 
said, shall  have  at  least  the  name  of  one  of  the  com- 
mittee, who  shall  belong  to  the  Synod,  from  whose 
bounds  he  came. — Vol.  I.  p.  53. 

Sect.  2.     The  plan  ratified  by  the  Association, 

The  Revd.  Dr.  Jonathan  Edwards  and  the 
Kevd.  Mr.  Matthias  Burnet  from  the  General 
Association  of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  appeared 
in  the  Assembly,  and  produced  an  extract  from 
the  records  of  that  Association,  whereby  it  appear- 
ed that  the  convention,  between  said  Association 
and  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  had 
been  ratified  on  tiieir  part ;  and  that  these  gentlemen 
with  the  Revd.  Dr.  Timothy  Dwight  w  ere  appoint- 
ed, agreeably  to  an  article  of  said  convention,  to  sit 
in  this  Assembly :  whereupon,  Dr.  Edwards  and 
Mr.  Burnet  were  admitted  as  members,  and  took 
their  seats  accordingly. — Vol.  I.  p.  68. 

Sect.  3.  An  alteration  in  the  jplaii  proposed  by 
the  Assembly^  in  1794. 

On  motion,  ordered,  that  the  delegates  appoint- 
ed from  the  General  Assembly  to  the  General  As- 


*  By  an  after  order.  Rev.  Aaron  Woolwortb,  of  Long  Island,  was 
added  to  tliis  committee. 


296  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI. 

sociation  of  Connecticut  propose  to  the  Association^ 
as  an  amendment  to  the  articles  of  intercourse 
aii;reed  upon  between  the  aforesaid  bodies,  that 
the  delegates  from  these  bodies,  respectively,  shall 
have  a  right,  not  only  to  sit  and  deliberate,  but  also 
to  vote  in  all  questions  which  shall  be  determined 
by  either  of  them  : — And  to  communicate  tlie  result 
of  their  proposal  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 
Yol.  I.  p.  87. 

Sect.  4.     Agreed  to  by  the  Association. 

Dr.  M^Whorter  laid  before  the  General  As- 
sembly an  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  General  Association  of  the  State  of 
Connecticut,  which,  having  been  read,  was  ordered 
to  be  entered  upon  the  minutes  of  the  General 
Assembly,  and  was  as  follows: — 

^^The  motion  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  that  the  delegates  from 
that  Assembly  to  this  Association,  and  the  Dele- 
from  this  Association  to  that  Assembly,  be  empow- 
ered to  vote  in  all  questions  decided  in  those  Bo- 
dies respectively,  was  taken  into  consideration; 
and  after  discussion,  tlie  General  Association  voted 
a  compliance  with  the  said  proposal''. — 

That  the  a])ove  is  an  authentic  extract  from  the 
Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Asso- 
diation  of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  at  their  Ses- 
sions begun  on  the  17th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1794,  is 
attested  by 

JONATHAN  EDWARDS, 
Scribe  of  the  General  Asssociation, 

Yol.  I.  Page  106. 


CHAP.  II.]  CONNECTICUT.  29? 

Sect.  5.  A  plan  ofunio7i  between  Presbyterians 
and  Congregationalists  in  the  new  settlements^ 
adopted  in  1801. 

The  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to  consid- 
er and  digest  a  plan  of  government  for  the  churches 
in  the  new  settlements,  was  taken  up  and  consider- 
ed; and  after  mature  deliberation  on  the  same,  ap- 
proved, as  follows  : 

Regulations  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  America,  and  by  the 
General  Association  of  the  State  of  Connecticut, 
(provided  said  Association  agree  to  them,)  with  a 
view  to  prevent  alienation  and  promote  union  and 
harmony,  in  those  new  settlements  which  are  com- 
posed of  inhabitants  from  these  bodies. 

1st.  It  is  strictly  enjoined  on  all  their  missionaries 
to  the  new  settlements,  to  endeavour,  by  all  proper 
means,  to  promote  mutual  forbearance  and  accom- 
modation, between  those  inhabitants  of  the  new 
settlements  who  hold  the  Presbyterian  and  those 
who  hold  the  Congregational  form  of  cliurch  gov- 
ernment. 

2nd.  If  in  the  new  settlements,  any  church  of  the 
C  ongregational  order  shall  settle  a  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  order,  that  church  may,  if  they  choose, 
still  conduct  their  discipline  according  to  congrega- 
tional principles,  settling  their  difficulties  among 
themselves,  or  by  a  council  mutually  agreed  upon 
for  that  purpose  :  But  if  any  difficulty  shall  exist 
between  the  minister  and  the  church  oranv  member 
of  it,  it  shall  be  referred  to  the  Presbytery  to  which 
the  minister  shall  belong,  provided  both  parties 
agree  to  it ;  if  not,  to  a  council  consisting  of  an 


298  INTERCOtlliSE.  [part  3^1. 

equal  number  of  Presbyterians  and  Congregation- 
alists,  agreed  upon  by  both  parties. 

3d.  If  a  Presbyterian  church  shall  settle  a  min- 
ister of  congregational  principles,  that  church  may 
still  conduct  their  discipline  according  to  Presby- 
terian principles;  excepting  that  if  a  difficulty  arise 
between  him  and  his  church,  or  any  member  of  it, 
the  cause  shall  be  tried  by  the  Association,  to  which 
the  said  minister  shall  belong,  provided  both  par- 
ties agree  to  it;  otherwise  by  a  council,  one  half 
Congregationalists  and  the  other  half  Presbyteri- 
ans, mutually  agreed  on  by  the  parties. 

4th.  If  any  congregation  consist  partly  of  those 
who  hold  the  congregational  form  of  discipline,  and 
partly  of  those  who  hold  the  Presbyterian  form ; 
Ave  recommend  to  both  parties,  that  this  be  no  ob- 
struction to  their  uniting  in  one  church  and  settling 
a  minister:  and  that  in  this  case,  the  church  choose 
a  standing  committee  from  the  communicants  of  said 
church,  whose  business  it  shall  be,  to  call  to  account 
every  member  of  the  church,  who  shall  conduct 
himself  inconsistently  with  the  laws  of  Christianity, 
and  to  give  judgment  on  such  conduct :  and  if  the 
person  condemned  by  their  judgment,  he  a  Presby- 
terian, he  shall  have  liberty  to  appeal  to  the  Pres- 
bytery: if  a  Congregationalist,  he  shall  have  liberty 
to  appeal  to  the  body  of  the  male  communicants  of 
the  church:  in  the  former  case  the  determination  of 
the  Presbytery  shall  be  final,  unless  the  church 
consent  to  a  further  appeal  to  the  Synod,  or  to  the 
General  Assembly;  and  in  the  latter  case,  if  the 
party  condemned  shall  wisli  for  a  trial  by  a  mutual 
council,  the  cause  shall  be  referred  to  such  counciL 
And  provided  the  said  standing  committee  of  any 
church,  shall  depute  one  of  themselves  to  attend  thft 


CHAP.  II.]  CONNECTICUT.  299 

Presbytery^  he  may  have  the  same  right  to  sit  and 
act  ill  the  Presbytery,  as  a  ruling  elder  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

On  motion  Resolved^  That  an  attested  copy  of 
the  above  plan  be  made  by  the  Stated  Clerk,  and 
put  into  the  hands  of  the  delegates  of  this  Assembly 
to  the  General  Association,  to  be  by  them  laid  be- 
fore that  body  for  their  consideration;  and  that  if  it 
should  be  approved  by  them,  it  go  into  immediate 
operation,— Vol.  I.  p.  261,  262. 

Sect,  6.     Jtdopted  by  the  Association » 

The  Delegates  to  the  last  General  Association 
of  Connecticut  reported,  that  tliey  all  attended  the 
Association  during  the  whole  of  theii*  Sessions, 
and  were  received  and  treated  with  great  cordiality 
and  friendship : — 

That  the  Regulations  submitted  by  the  last  As- 
sembly, respecting  the  establishment  of  churches  in 
the  frontiers  consisting  of  Members  partly  of  the 
Presbyterian  and  partly  of  the  Congregational  de- 
nominations, were  unanimously  adopted  by  the 
AssociatioQ. — Vol.  I.  p.  276. 

Sect,  7.  An  order  for  printing  the  plan  in 
1806. 

Resolved^  that  the  Committee,  of  Missions, 
cause  a  number  of  Copies  of  this  plan  to  be  prin- 
ted, and  delivered  to  the  Missionaries  who  may 
sent  by  the  Assembly  among  the  people  concerned. 
Vol.  11.  p.  192. 


30^  iXTERCOU'UsE.  [PART  XJ. 

CHAPTER  in. 

Q¥   THE  CONVENTION  OF  VERMONT. 


Sect  1.  The  plan  of  union  and  correspondence 
proposed  by  the  Assembly,  in  1803. 

A  HE  Committee  appointed  on  the  communica- 
tion from  the  Convention  of  the  regular  ministers  of 
the  gospel,  of  the  State  of  Vermont,  Keported. 
The  report,  being  considered  and  amended,  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows  :  Your  committee  are  of 
opinion,  that,  although  this  Assembly,  have  not 
received  any  answer,  to  the  request  of  last  Assem- 
bly, proposed  to  the  convention  of  Vermont ;  yet 
the  Assembly  have  received  satisfactory  informa- 
tion on  the  subjects  alluded  to,  both  from  their  own 
delegates  to  the  General  Association  of  Connecti- 
cut of  last  year,  and  also  from  the  representatives 
of  that  body,  in  the  present  Assembly.  The  Com- 
mittee, therefore,  submit  the  following  plan  of  union 
and  intercourse,  between  the  said  Convention  and 
the  General  Assembly :  viz, 

L  Each  body  shall  send  one  or  two  Delegates, 
to  meet  and  sit  with  the  other,  at  the  stated  sessions 
of  each  body  respectively. 


CHAP.  III.]  VERMONT.  301 

II.  The  delegate  or  delegates  from  each  re- 
spectively shall  have  the  privilege  of  joining  in  the 
discussions  and  deliberations  of  the  body,  as  freely 
and  fully,  as  their  own  members. 

III.  That  the  union  and  intercourse  may  be  full 
and  complete  between  the  said  bodies,  the  delegate, 
or  delegates  from  each  respectively,  shall  not  only 
sit  and  deliberate,  but  also  act  and  vote  :  which  ar- 
ticles comprise  the  great  principles  of  the  union 
between  the  General  Assembly,  and  the  General 
Association  of  Connecticut.  Your  committee  finally 
submit  the  following  resolution  :  viz.  Resolved^ 
That  the  above  plan  shall  go  into  operation  so  soon 
as  it  shall  be  ratified  by  the  convention. — Vol.  I. 
p.  384. 

Sect.  2.     Ratijied  by  the  Convention, 

A  communication  from  the  convention  of  the 
Congregational  ministers  in  the  state  of  Vermont, 
was  received  and  read.  From  this  it  appears,  that 
the  convention  have  ratified,  on  their  part  the  plan 
of  union  and  correspondence  agreed  upon  and  trans- 
mitted to  them  by  the  last  General  Assembly  with 
one  exception,  viz,  that  the  convention  considering 
the  smallness  of  their  number,  and  distance  from 
the  Assembly's  usual  place  of  meeting,  cannot  pro- 
mise to  send  an  annual  delegation  to  the  General 
Assembly ;  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  accept 
and  ratify,  on  their  part  and  behalf,  the  said  plan 
of  union  and  correspondence  with  the  exception 
aforesaid ;  and  that  the  Assembly  will  for  the  pre- 
sent year,  send  one  delegate  to  attend  the  next 
meeting  of  the  convention. — Vol.  II.  p.  28,  29. 

C  c 


302  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI. 

Sect.  3.  Proposition  relating  to  travelling 
preachers  made  in  1809. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegate  appointed  to  repre- 
sent this  Assembly  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Con- 
vention of  Vermont,  be  and  he  is  hereby  author- 
ized to  propose  and  agree  upon  the  same  regula- 
tions, which  have  ])een  agreed  to  be  observed,  by 
this  Assembly  and  the  General  Association  of  Con- 
necticut, in  relation  to  the  credentials  requisite  for 
such  ministers,  as  may  come  within  the  bounds  of 
this  Assemblv  or  the  convention  of  Vermont,  for  the 
purpose  of  preaching  the  gospel. — Yol.  IL  p.  288. 

Sect.  4.     Accepted  by  the  Convention  in  1810. 

The  resolution  of  the  General  Assembly  respect- 
ing the  appointment  of  a  standing  committee  to  cer- 
tify the  good  standing  of  j.iinisters  travelling  into 
the  bounds  of  the  General  Assembly  from  the  state 
of  Vermont,  and  which  your  delegate  was  author- 
ized to  transact,  was  agreed  to  with  great  unanimi- 
ty:  and  an  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  conven- 
tion on  this  subject  is  forwarded  herewith :  to  which 
it  may  be  proper  to  add,  that  the  publishing  the 
names  of  the  committees  appointed  by  the  respec- 
tive bodies  in  this  case,  and  taking  measures  to 
make  the  different  parts  of  the  church  acquainted 
with  them  to  prevent  imposition,  was  considered 
of  great  consequence. — Vol.  II.  p.  311.  See  also, 
Vol.  III.  p.  131. 


CHAP.  IV.]  NEW  HAMPSHIRE.  308 


CHAPTER  IV. 


OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSOCIATION   OF  NEW 
HAMPSHIRE. 


Sect,  1.  A  projwsal  from  the  Association  aq- 
cejptedp  in  1810. 

A  PROPOSAL  from  the  General  Association  of 
New  Hampshire  was  made  by  the  Rev.  William  F. 
Rowland,  and  the  Rev.  John  H.  Church,  commis- 
sioners appointed  for  that  purpose,  for  a  union 
bet  veen  them  and  this  Assembly,  similar  to  that  sub- 
sisting between  the  General  Association  of  Connecti- 
cut and  this  Assembly.  The  certificate  of  their  ap- 
pointment, and  the  papers  accompanying  it  con- 
taining the  fundamental  principles  and  regulations 
of  the  Association  of  New  Hampshire,  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  gaid  Union  be  formed,  and  it  ac- 
cordingly was  formed. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Rowland  and 
Church  be  invited  to  sit  as  members  of  this  Assem- 
bly ;  and  they  accordingly  took  their  seats. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  send  an- 
nually two  delegates  to  the  meetings  of  the  General 
Association  of  New  Hampshire* 


304  1NTER«0URSE.  [part  XI. 

Seet,  2.  An  alteration  in  the  delegation  pro- 
posed by  the  Association,  in  1816. 

The  following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the 
General  Association  of  New  Hampshire  was  re- 
ceived and  read :  viz. 

<^  Voted  that  the  delegates  from  this  General  As- 
sociation to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Churchy  be  instructed  to  propose  to  that  re- 
spected body,  that  this  Association  should  in  future 
be  represented,  in  that  Assembly,  by  only  one 
delegate. 

True  copy  from  the  minutes. — Vol.  III.  p.  224. 

Sect,  3.     Acceded  to  hy  the  Assembly. 

The  committee,  to  which  was  referred  the  extract 
from  the  minutes  of  the  General  Association  of  New 
Hampshire  reported;  and  the  report  being  read, 
was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows :  viz. 

That  after  due  deliberation  they  think,  that  the 
articles  of  union  between  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  General  Associa- 
tion of  New  Hampshire,  rec^uire,  that  the  Assembly 
should  hereafter  only  send  one  delegate  to  the  afore- 
said Association. 

Ordered,  that  a  copy  of  this  minute  be  forwarded^ 
to  the  Association  of  New  Hampshire  by  the  dele- 
gate who  may  be  chosen  to  attend  the  next  meet- 
ing of  said^Association. — Vol.  III.  p.  226. 


CHAP.  V.J  MASSACHUSETTS.  305 


CHAPTER  Y. 


OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  MASSA 
CHUSETTS. 


Sect,  1.  A  iirofosal  from  the  Association  ac- 
cejited  by  the  Assembly,  in  1811. 

A  PROPOSAL  from  the  General  Association  of 
Massachusetts  proper,  was  matleby  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Lyraan,  D.  D.  and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Worcester, 
delegates  appointed  for  that  purpose,  for  the 
establishment  of  a  union  between  them  and  this 
Assembly,  similar  to  that  subsisting  between  the 
Association  of  Alassachusetts  proper,  and  the  Asso- 
ciations of  Connecticut  and  New  Hampshire. 
The  certificate  of  their  appointment,  and  the  arti- 
cles of  union  with  said  Associations  were  read. 

The  articles  of  said  Union  are  as  follow  : 

"  1st.  The  General  Association  of  Connecticut, 
and  the  General  Association  of  Massachusetts 
proper  shall  annually  appoint  each  two  delegates 
to  the  other. 

2nd.  The  delegates  shall  be  admitted  in  each 
body  to  the  same  rights  of  sitting,  debating  and 
voting  with  their  own  members  respectively. 

C  c  2 


306  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI. 

3r(l.  It  shall  ])e  iinderstood  tliat  the  articles  of 
agreement  and  connexion  between  the  two  bodies, 
may  be  at  any  time  varied  by  their  own  consent.'' 

The  same  articles  were  adopted  in  their  connex- 
ion with  the  Association  of  'Sew  Hampshire. 

The  delegate*  stated  that  the  shorter  Catechism 
of  the  Westminster  Assembly  was  adopted  as  the 
basis  of  their  union  ;  and  ])y  answering  several 
questions  proposed  to  them,  fully  satisfied  the  As- 
sembly relative  to  the  standard  of  their  faith,  and 
the  object  of  their  Association. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  unanimously,  that  said 
union  be  formed  ;  and  it  w  as  accordingly  formed. 

Resolved,  that  Dr.  Lyman  and  the  Rev.  Sa- 
muel Worcester  be  enrolled  as  members  of  this 
Assembly  ;  and  they  took  their  seats   accordingly. 

Resolved,  that  the  Assembly  send  annually  two 
dele£:ates  to  the  General  Association  of  Massachu- 
setts  proper. 


CHAP.  VI.]  OF  DELEGATES.  307 


CHAPTER  VI. 


OF  DELEGATES  TO  THE  ASSOCIATIONS. 


Sect.  1.     The  mode  of  electing  delegates  adopt- 
pJ,  in  1796. 

J.  HE  Assembly  Resolved,  that  in  electing  dele- 
gates to  the  General  Association  of  the  state  of 
Connecticut,  the  roll  of  the  house  shall  be  called, 
and  every  member  shall  nominate  any  number  of 
candidates  he  may  please,  not  exceeding  three  ;  the 
candidates  to  consist  of  any  ordained  Ministers  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  When  such  nomination  is 
made,  if  any  of  the  candidates  present  be  acquain- 
ted Avith  any  circumstances  which  forbid  their  at- 
tendance on  tJie  Association  ;  or  if  any  member 
present  be  acquainted  with  any  such  circumstances 
in  regard  to  candidates  who  may  not  be  present;  they 
shall  be  at  liberty  to  make  them  known  to  the  As- 
sembly, that  the  names  of  said  candidates,  if  it  be 
judged  expedient,  may  be  stricken  off  the  list. 
From  the  names  which  remain  on  the  list  after  this 
procedure,  an  election  shall  be  made  of  three  mem- 
bers to  attend  the  Association;  w!  i(  h  election  shall 
be  made  by  ballot,  on  the  opening  of  that  sitting  of 
the  Assembly,  which  shall  immediately  succeed 


SOS  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  XI. 

the  one  at  which  the  nomination  took  place. — Yol. 

I.  p.  122. 

Sect,  2.     An  additional  rule  adopted  in  1811. 

Resolved,  That  two  of  the  delegates  chosen  to 
attend  the  General  Association  of  Connecticut,  he 
chosen  also  to  attend  the  Association  of  Massachu- 
setts proper;  and  that  one  of  the  delegates  chosen 
to  attend  the  Association  of  New  Hampshire,  he 
chosen  also  to  attend  the  convention  of  Vermont. — 
Yol.  n.  p.  S65. 

Sect.  3.  Printed  Extracts  to  be  carried  by  the 
delegates. 

Resolved^  As  a  standing  order,  that  the  repre- 
sentatives from  the  General  Assemhly  to  the  seve- 
ral supreme  judicatures  or  Associations  of  Church- 
es, with  which  the  Assembly  hold  intercourse, 
shall  annually  carry  forward  to  such  judicatures 
or  Associations,  a  competent  number  of  the  printed 
extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the  Assembly,  of  the 
latest  date,  that  may  have  been  printed  before  the 
sittings  of  the  judicatures  aforesaid. — 1811.     Yol, 

II.  p.  358. 

Sect.  4.  The  delegates  are  allowed  two  dollars 
for  every  40  miles  which  they  necessarily  travel  in 
going  and  returning,  and  one  dollar  per  day  during 
the  sessions  of  those  bodies  they  attend. — Yol.  II. 
p.  84.  212. 


HAP.  A^ll.]       ASSOCIATE  PRESBYTERY. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


OF   THE   NORTHERN   ASSOCIATE   PRESBY- 
TERY, &c. 


309 


Sect  1.  The  plan  of  correspondence  with  the 
Presbytery  of  *llbany  approved  by  the  Jlssembly^ 
in  1802. 

A  COMMUNICATION  was  received  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Albany,  stating,  that  a  joint  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  members  of  that  Presbytery 
and  members  from  a  Presbytery  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Northern  Associate  Presbytery,  had 
met,  and  agreed  upon  a  plan  of  friendly  correspon- 
dence between  the  ministers  and  churches  belong- 
ing to  these  Presbyteries  respectively,  consisting 
of  three  articles :  viz.  The  committee  has  in  ef- 
fect agreed, 

1.  That  there  shall  be  occasional  communion 
between  the  members  of  the  particular  churches 
subordinate  to  those  Presbyteries  respectively. 

2.  That  there  be  a  friendly  interchange  of  ser- 
vices among  the  ministers  :  And, 

3.  That  each  Presbytery,  while  in  session, 
may  invite  members   occasionally  present   from 


310  INTERCOURSE.  [PAHT  XI. 

the  other^  to  sit  as  corresponding  members  :  That 
the  Presbytery  of  Albany  having  heard  the  report 
of  the  said  committee,  approved  thereof,  and  re- 
solved to  request  the  General  Assembly  to  sanction 
the  same,  and  authon?-e  the  Presbytery  of  Albany 
to  adopt  it. 

The  Assembly  after  due  examination  and  delibe- 
ration, expressed  their  approbation  of  the  said  plan 
of  correspondence. —  Vol.  II.  p.  286. 


Sect.  2.  The  plan  of  union  and  correspon- 
dence with  the  Synvd  of  Albany  approvedy  in 
1808. 

The  Synod  of  Albany  requested  the  Assembly 
to  sanction  a  plan  of  union  and  correspondence, 
between  themselves  and  the  Northern  Associate 
Presbytery,  and  the  Middle  Association  in  the 
Western  District  in  the  state  of  New  York;  which 
plan  is  contained  in  pages  117 — 121  of  the  Synodi- 
cal  minutes.  The  plan  being  read,  and  the  sub- 
ject discussed,  Resolved^  That  the  Assembly  sanc- 
tion the  aforesaid  plan. — Yol.  11.  p.  258. 


CHAP.  VIII.]       REFORMED  CHURCHES.  311 


CHAPTER  Vni. 


OF  THE  REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH,  ANB 
THE  ASSOCIATE  REFORMED  CHURCH. 


Sect.  1.  An  1798  committees  from  the  three 
churches  met  iii  convention,  and  agreed  that  the 
plan  of  intercourse  J  having  for  its  hasis  the  preser- 
vation of  the  several  ecclesiastical  judicatories  con- 
cerned in  a  state  entirely  separate  and  independent ; 
should  emhrace 

I.  The  communion  of  particular  churches  : 

II.  The  friendly  interchange  of  ministerial  ser- 
vices ;  and 

III.  A  correspondence  of  the  several  Judicato- 
ries, of  the  conferring  churches. 

It  was  moreover  agreed  that  the  several  churches 
should  watch  over  each  other's  purity  in  doctrine, 
discipline,  and  manners,  and  be  ready  to  receive 
complaints  against  any  of  their  ministers,  or  mem- 
bers on  these  subjects. 

This  plan  was  unanimously  approved  by  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly;  but  it  was  not  accepted  by  the  ju- 
dicatories of  the  other  churches.  Still,  however,  a 
friendly  intercourse  has  been  maintained,  more  or 
less,  between  the  ministers  and  people  of  the  three 
denominations.  We  are  happy  to  add  that  it  is 
increasing. 


312  INTERCOURSE.  [PART  X!. 

Sect,  2.  A  negotiation  for  effecting  a  corres- 
pondence with  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  in 
1819. 

Resolved,  That  Drs.  Romeyn,  Blatchford,  and 
Green,  and  Mr.  Lewis  and  Dr.  Rodgers,  be  a 
committee  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  of 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Churchy  and  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly 
the  result  of  their  conference,  on  the  subject  of  a 
brotherly  correspondence  between  the  two  churches. 

The  following  communication  was  received  and 
read  : 

"Session  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Associ- 
ciate  Reformed  Church,  May  21,  1819. 

'^Resolved,  That  this  Synod  reciprocate  to  the 
General  Assembly  their  assurances  of  a  disposition 
to  maintain  a  friendly  correspondence  ;  and  that 
the  Rev.  Drs.  Mason  and  Proudfit,  and  Mr. 
M^Loud,  ministers  ;  and  Messrs.  William  Wilson, 
and  Henry  Rankin  elders  ;  be  and  they  hereby  are 
appointed  commissioners  to  confer  on  this  subject 
with  the  commissioners  already  appointed  bytheGe- 
neral  Assembly,  and  that  the  result  of  their  delibe- 
rations be  reported  to  this  Synod  at  its  next  meeting. 

^^  By  order  of  the  General  Synod. 

"R.  M^  CARTEE,  Clerk  of  the  Synod.'' 

The  Commissioners  from  the  two  churches  met 
shortly  after  their  appointment,  and  adopted  a  plan 
of  correspondence:  and  it  is  presumed  that  the  plan 
will  be  approved  by  the  General  Assembly  and  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church, 
in  May  next. 


PART   XII. 


GE^^ERAL 

CHAPTER  I. 

OF    PSALMODY. 


Sect.  1.     The  use  of  Waits^s  Psalms  allowed- 
by  the  late  Sijnod  of  JSTew  Fork  and  Philadelphia^ 

in  1787. 

JL  HE  Synod  did  allow^  and  do  hereby  allow,  that 
Dr.  Watts's  imitation  of  David's  Psalms,  as  re- 
vised by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barlow,  be  sung  in  the 
churches  and  families  under  their  care.  But  they 
are,  at  the  same  time,  far  from  disapproving  of 
Rouse's  version,  commonly  called  '^  The  Old 
Psalms,"  in  those  who  are  in  the  use  of  them,  and 
choose  to  continue;  but  are  of  opinion  that  either 
may  be  used  by  the  churches,  as  each  congregation 

D  d 


314  GENERAL  DECISIONS.     [PART  XII. 

may  judge  to  be  most  for  their  peace  and  edifica- 
tion. And  do,  therefore,  highly  disapprove  of  se- 
vere and  unchristian  censures  being  passed  on  ei- 
ther of  the  said  systems  of  Psalmody. — Page  431. 
Published  by  order  of  the  Assembly  in  1803. 

Sect,  2.  J\lr.  Rankings  query  answered  by  the 
•Issemhly^  in  1789. 

The  following  query,  signed  by  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Transylvania,  was  overtured  by  the 
committee  of  overtures. — "  Query,  whether  the 
churches  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly, 
have  not,  by  the  countenance  and  allowance  of  the 
late  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  fallen 
into  a  great  and  pernicious  error  in  the  public  wer- 
ship  of  God,  by  disusing  Rouse's  versitication  of 
David's  Psalms,  and  adopting  in  the  room  of  it 
Watts's  imitation  ?  Conscience  is  the  motive  that 
has  induced  me  to  make  the  above  inquiry,  and  I 
trust  I  shall  be  heard  on  the  subject  with  candour. 
—Vol.  I.  p.  9. 

The  committee  appointed  on  Mr.  Rankin's  af- 
fair, reported  the  following  draught  of  a  minute, 
which  was  adopted :  viz.  The  General  Assembly, 
having  heard  Mr.  Rankin  at  great  lengthy  and  en- 
deavoured to  relieve  his  mind  from  the  difficulty  he 
appears  to  labour  under,  are  sorry  to  find  that  all 
their  efforts  have  been  in  vain ;  and,  therefore,  only 
recommend  to  him  that  exercise  of  christian  chari- 
ty, towards  those  who  differ  from  him  in  their 
views  of  this  matter,  which  is  exercised  towards 
himself;  and  that  he  be  carefully  guarded  against 


CHAP.  I.]  PSALMODY.  315 

disturbing  the  peace  of  the  church  on  this  head. — 
Vol.  I.  p.  9. 

Sect.  3.  Rejjort  of  the  Committee  who  reviewed 
Br.  Bwighfs  alterations,  §*c.  of  Watts^s  version, 
in  1801. 

The  committee  appointed  to  meet  the  committee 
of  the  General  Associatiou  of  Connecticut,  on  the 
secondTuesday  of  June  1800,  to  examine  the  altera- 
tions and  additions  to  Dr.  Watts's  version  of  the 
Psalms,  made  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Timothy  Dwight, 
brought  in  their  report,  which  was  read  as  follows  : 
viz. — "That  they  met  the  said  committee  of  the 
Association  on  the  day  appointed,  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  that  day,  and  the  two  following  days, 
in  carefully  examining  said  alterations,  which  they 
approved  with  some  amendments  :  and  they  report 
farther,  that  these  joint  committees  unanimously 
advised  Dr.  D  wight  to  add  a  number  of  hymns, 
selected  out  of  Dr.  Watts's,  and  Dr.  Doddridge's 
hymns,  with  some  few  of  Dr.  Rippon's  to  enlarge 
the  system  of  Psalmody,  and  have  the  whole  print- 
ed as  soon  as  convenient,  for  the  use  of  the 
churches John  Rodgers,  Asa  Hilly er,  Jona- 
than Freeman.'' 

On  motion  Resolved,  That  in  reference  to  the 
above  report,  the  Assembly  do  not  think  it  advi- 
sable to  express  their  approbation  of  any  system 
of  Psalmody,  without  its  having  been  first  sub- 
mitted to  their  inspection  and  review, — Vol.  I. 
p.  251. 


316  GENERAL  DECISIONS.  [PART  XII. 

Sect.  4.  Watts^s  Hymns,  as  well  as  Psalms, 
and  Dwighfs  allowed  to  be  used,  in  1S02. 

The  comniittee  on  Psalraody  reported^  and  there- 
upon the  Assembly  determined  as  follows  : 

Whereas  the  version  of  the  Psalms  made  by  Dr. 
Watts  has  heretofore  been  allowed  in  the  con£;re- 
gations,  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly,  it 
is  now  thought  expedient  that  the  Hymns  of  Dr. 
Watts  be  also  allowed  ;  and  they  are  accordingly 
hereby  allowed,  in  such  congregations  as  may 
think  it  expedient  to  use  them  in  public  and  social 
worship.  And  whereas  the  Rev.  Dr.  Timothy 
Dwight,  by  order  of  the  General  Association  of 
Connecticut,  has  revised  the  version  of  the  Psalms 
made  by  Dr.  Watts,  and  versified  a  number  omit- 
ted by  him,  and  has  also  made  a  selection  of 
Hymns  from  various  authors ;  which,  together 
with  the  Psalms,  were  intended  to  furnish  a  system 
of  Psalmody  Ibr  the  use  of  churches  and  families ; 
which  system  has  been  revised  and  recommended 
by  a  joint  committee  of  the  General  Assembly  and 
the  General  Association  of  Connecticut  heretofore 
appointed,  as  well  as  examined  and  approved  by  a 
committee  of  this  Assembly  : 

The  said  system  is  hereby  cheerfully  allowed,  in 
such  congregations  and  churches  as  may  think  it 
for  edification  to  adopt  and  use  the  same. — Vol.  I. 
p.  291. 

Sect.  5.  The  above  resolutions  eocplained  in 
1806. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  com- 


CHAP.  I.]  PSALMODY.  3^17 

munication  from  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  respect- 
ing Psalmody  reported.  The  report  having  been 
read  and  considered,  was  approved,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  viz. 

Your  committee  are  of  opinion,  that  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  year  1802,  in  their  Eesolution  on 
this  subject,  did  not  intend  that  the  churches  under 
their  care,  should  use  no  other  Psalms  and  Hymns, 
than  those  specilied  in  the  Resolution.  It  is  further 
the  opinion  of  your  committee,  that  when  any  fami- 
lies or  congregations,  in  their  religious  worship, 
make  use  of  Hymns  containing  erroneous  doctrine, 
or  trivial  matter,  it  becomes  the  duty  of  church 
sessions  and  Presbyteries,  to  inquire  into  the  mat- 
ter, and  act  as  the  case  may  require. — Yol.  TI.  p. 
164. 


Dd2 


318  GENERAL  DECISIONS.  [PART  X 


CHAPTER  II. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  RECORDS  OF  TUV 
LATE  SYNOD  OF  NEW  YORK  AND  PHI 
LADELPHIA. 


Sect.  1.  The  judgment  of  the  Synod  in  regard 
to  the  qualifications  (^candidates for  the  ministry^ 
in  1785. 

ixN  overture  was  brought  in,  in  the  following 
terms :  viz.  Whether  in  the  present  state  of  the 
church  in  America,  and  the  scarcity  of  ministers  to 
iill  our  numerous  congregations,  the  Synod  or  Pres- 
byteries ought  therefore  to  relax  in  any  degree  in 
the  literary  qualifications  required  of  candidates 
for  the  Ministry  ?  and  it  was  carried  in  the  nega- 
tive by  a  great  majority. — Page  386. 

Sect.  2.  Presbyteries  to  pay  due  regard  to 
order  in  receiving  candidates  for  the  ministry. 

The  Presbytery  of  Newcastle,  expressing  some 
uneasiness  at  the  conduct  of  the  second  Philadel- 
phia Presbytery,  for  having  received  and  licensed 
a  certain  Mr.  John  M'^Clean,  who  they  apprehend 
most  properly  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  of  New- 


CHAP.  II.]  EXTRACTS.  319 

castle,  and  had  applied  to  them  to  be  licensed;  and 
while  they  were  taking  the  proper  steps  for  obtain- 
ing more  full  satisfaction  concerning  his  church 
membership  and  christian  character,  he  in  the 
mean  time  removed  from  them  and  applied  to  the 
second  Philadelphia  Presbytery,  and  was  licensed 
by  them.  Both  the  Presbyteries  were  fully  heard 
in  a  free  conference  on  this  subject,  and  withdrew. 
The  Synod,  after  mature  deliberation,  order  Mr. 
M'Clean  to  be  cited  before  the  Presbytery  of  New- 
castle, with  power  to  them  to  hear  the  charges 
against  him,  and  issue  the  affair  in  a  regular  man- 
ner, and  report  to  the  next  meeting  of  Synod;  and 
the  Synod  do  prohibit  the  second  Philadelphia 
Presbytery  from  employing  him  to  preach  till  the 
affair  shall  be  concluded. — 1772.     Page  236. 


Sect.  3.     An  Elder  may  resign  his  official  rela- 
tion to  a  jmrticiilar  congregation, 

A  petition  from  the  members  of  the  session  of 
the  Third  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  City,  ask- 
ing advice  of  this  Synod  with  respect  to  the  exe- 
cution of  their  office,  in  consequence  of  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Synod  respecting  that  church,  was  read. 
After  it  was  duly  considered,  they  returned  the  fol- 
lowing answer :  viz.  The  Synod  advise  them  to 
continue  to  act  as  Elders ;  but  in  case  they  cannot, 
consistently  with  what  they  apprehend  to  be  their 
duty,  contifiue  as  such,  and  act  upon  the  decisions 
of  Synod,  that  they  may  resign  their  office,  and  the 
congregation  proceed  to  choose  other  elders  who 
may  have  freedom  to  act  according  to  the  determi- 
nations of  the  Synod. — 1772.     Page  237. 


320  GENERAL    DECISIONS.  [PAliTXIl. 

Sect,  4.     Charges  should  he  sjjecific. 

The  Synod  orders  that  all  their  judicatures 
shall  for  the  future  be  particulary  careful,  not  to 
receive  or  judge  of  any  charges,  but  such  as  shall 
be  seasonably  reduced  to  a  specialty/  in  the  com- 
plaint laid  before  them. — 1770.    Page  187. 


Sect.  5.  Due  respect  to  be  paid  to  the  constitu- 
tion^ both  in  conducting  the  trials  of  candidates  for 
the  ministri/y  and  in  making  a  record  of  the  pro- 
ceedings. 

The  Presbytery-book  of  SuflPolk  was  approved 
since  the  time  of  the  union  of  the  two  Synods,  ex- 
cept, that  they  have  neglected  to  record  their  can- 
didates adopting  our  public  standards  at  licensure, 
(though  they  inform  us,  it  is  a  matter  Df  constant 
practice,)  that  they  try  and  license  at  the  same  Pres- 
bytery, and  in  one  instance  ordained  without  pre- 
vious trial  or  licensure,  and  that  they  license  for  a 
certain  time  : — Of  all  which  we  highly  disapprove, 
—1764.     Page  82. 


CHAP.  III.]  POINTS  OF  ORDER.  321 


CHAPTER  m. 


OF  SUNDRY  POINTS  OF  ORDER. 


Sect.  1.  Tico  or  more  members  of  a  judicatory 
may  adjourn  from  time  to  time. 

UN  motion  Hesolved,  as  the  opinion  of  the  As- 
sembly, that  from  the  nature  of  the  thing,  two  or 
more  members  of  any  judicatory,  meeting  accord- 
ing to  adjournment,  may  adjourn,  from  day  to  day, 
until  a  sufficient  number  attend  for  the  transacting 
of  business  :  and  in  case  a  quorum  should  not  at- 
tend within  a  reasonable  time,  that  the  Moderator 
shall  be  considered  as  competent  to  ^il  any  time 
and  place  he  may  judge  proper  for  convening  the 
Body ;  and  if  he  be  absent,  that  the  members  as- 
sembled shall  represent  the  matter  speedily  to  him 
that  he  may  act  accordingly. — 1796.  Yol.  I.  p. 
127. 

Sect.  2.  A  paHicular  question  in  relation  to 
the  doctrine  of  appeals  decided. 

The  following  case  was  overtured,  by  the  com- 
mittee of  overtures :  viz.  ^^whether  the  General 
Assembly,  out  of  theii-  liberality,  charity  and  can- 


322  GENERAL  DECISIONS.  [PAET  XII. 

dour,  will  admit  to  their  communion,  in  the  eccle- 
siastic Assemblies,  as  far  as  they  can  consistently 
with  the  scrupulosity  of  their  consciences,  a  Pres- 
bytery, who  are  totally  averse  to  the  doctrine  of 
receiving,  hearing,  or  judging  of  any  appeals,  from 
Presbyteries  to  Synods,  and  from  Synods  to  Gene- 
ral Assembly  ;  because,  in  their  judgment,  it  is 
inconsistent  with  scripture,  and  the  practice  of  the 
primitive  churches  ? — In  answer  to  which  the 
General  Assembly  reply,  that  although  they  con- 
sider the  right  of  appeal,  from  the  decision  of  an 
inferior  judicature  to  a  superior,  an  important  priv- 
ilege, which  no  member  of  their  body  ought  to  be 
deprived  of,  yet  they  at  the  same  time  declare,  that 
they  do  not  desire  any  member  to  be  active,  in  any 
case  which  may  be  inconsistent  with  the  dictates 
of  his  conscience. — 1789.     Vol.  I.  p.  9. 


Sect,  3.  Persons  elected  and  ordained  Elders 
in  an  unconstitutional  manner,  are  only  private 
members  of  a  church. 

The  following  inquiry  was  referred  to  the  deci- 
sion of  the  Assembly,  by  the  Synod  of  the  Caroli- 
nas  :  viz,  "  In  what  point  of  light  are  the  elders 
nominated  and  ordained  by  Mr.  Balch,  to  be  view- 
ed hereafter,  in  Mount  Bethel  congregation?  In  an- 
swer to  which  it  was  determined  by  the  Assembly, 
that  the  "  elders''  mentioned  in  the  inquiry,  are  to 
be  henceforth  viewed  as  private  church  members 
only,  unless  they  be  duly  elected  and  set  apart  as 
church  officer  hereafter.— 1798.    Vol.  I.  p.  177, 


CHAP,  in.]  POINTS  OF  ORDER.  323 

Sect.  4.  A  candidate  for  the  ministry  not  to  he 
recommended  by  a  judicatory  as  in  full  standings 
while  allegations  against  him  remain  undecided. 

On  reading  the  minutes  of  Saturday,  respecting 
the  report  of  the  committee  for  examining  the  min- 
utes of  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  the  Assembly 
resolved  that  the  Synod  be  informed,  that  the 
Assembly  disapprove  of  the  proceedings  as  repre- 
sented in  their  records,  in  recommending  a  candi- 
date to  be  received  as  in  full  standing,  before  they 
had  given  a  decision  upon  the  allegations  against 
him.— 1791.     Vol  I.  p.  36. 

Sect.  5.  JVo  person  to  be  condemned  tcithout  due 
notice  of  the  accusation  against  him. 

It  was  Resolved,  as  the  sense  of  this  house,  that 
no  man  or  body  of  men,  agreeably  to  the  constitu- 
tion of  this  church,  ought  to  be  condemned  or  cen- 
sured, without  having  notice  of  the  accusation 
against  him  or  them,  and  notice  given  for  trial.—- 
Yol.  I.  p.  77.     1793. 

Sect.  6.  Any  person  having  neio  evidence  to 
offer,  may  apply  to  the  proper  court  for  a  new 
trial. 

Resolved^  also,  that  it  is  the  well  known  privi- 
lege of  Mr.  Hind  man,  if  he  consider  himself  as 
having  new  evidence  to  oifer  in  this  case,  to  apply 
to  the  Presbytery  for  a  new  trial  upon  that  new. 
evidence.— 1811.    Vol.  III.  p.  18. 


324  GLNERAL  DECISIONS.  PART.  XII 


Sect.  7.  ^1  Presbytery  has  aright  to  decide  in 
regard  to  the  propriety  of  receiving  a  member,  but 
hut  the  Synod  may  censure  their  conduct,  when  they 
exercise  their  right  improperly. 

The  committe  appointed  to  examine  the  records 
of  the  Synod  of  Greneva  reported  ;  and  the  report 
being  read^  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows  :  vi%. 

That  they  have  examined  the  same,  and  found 
them  generally  kept  with  care.  That  they  con- 
tain a  protest  signed  by  a  number  of  members 
of  the  Synod  of  Geneva,  against  a  decision  of 
the  Synod,  excluding  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva 
from  voting  on  the  question,  wliether  their  own 
records  should  be  attested  by  the  Moderator  of 
the  Synod  as  approved.  Your  committee  were 
however  of  opinion  that  the  decision  of  the  Sy- 
nod was  consonant  to  the  prevalent  usage  of  the 
judicatures  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  as  well  as 
to  the  usage  of  the  analagous  bodies  in  similar 
cases  ;  and  that  it  ought  therefore  to  be  approved — 
But  though  your  committee  were  of  this  opinion, 
they  doubted  the  correctness  of  the  order  given  by 
the  Synod  to  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva ;  to  recon- 
sider their  proceedings  on  the  subject  of  the  admis- 
sion of  the  Rev.  Shipley  Wells,  a  constituent  mem- 
ber of  that  Presbytery;  which  order  though  it  be 
not  appealed  from,  appears  to  have  given  rise  to 
the  protest  in  question. 

The  Synod  of  Geneva  were,  beyond  doubt,  in 
the  opinion  of  your  committee,  competent  to  cen- 


CHAP.  111.]  POINTS  OF  ORDER.  325 

sure  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva  for  admitting,  hasti- 
ly and  on  slight  evidence  into  their  body,  an  un- 
worthy or  even  a  suspicious  character.  But  it  is, 
in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  equally  clear, 
that  the  right  of  deciding  on  the  fitness  of  admit- 
ting Mr.  Wells  a  constituent  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Geneva,  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  itself; 
and  that  having  admitted  him,  no  matter  how  im- 
providently,  that  their  decision  was  valid  and  final. 
The  individual  admitted  became  a  member  in 
full  standing :  nor  could  the  Presbytery,  though  it 
should  reconsider,  reverse  its  own  decision,  or  in 
any  way  sever  the  member  so  admitted,  from  their 
body,  except  by  a  regular  process. — 1816.  Vol. 
III.  p.  235. 


Sect,  8.  The  Assemhly  may  order  a  new  trials 
when  they  do  not  sustain  the  judgment  of  a  lower 
court. 

The  Assembly  judge  that  the  charges,  in  the 
,Q.^  case  of  Mr.  Bourne,  were  not  fully  sub- 
stantiated; and  that,  if  they  had  been, 
the  sentence  was  too  severe  : 

Therefore  Resolved,  that  the  sentence  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Lexington,  deposing  Mr.  Bourne, 
be  reversed,  and  it  hereby  is  reversed ;  and  that 
the  Presbytery  commence  the  trial  anew. — Yol. 
in.  p.  327. 

The  business  left  unfinished  yesterday  was  re- 
.Q.^  sumed,  viz.  the  consideration  of  an  appeal 
^^^'*    of  Mr.  John  Todd  from  a  decision  of  the 

E  e 


326  GENEKAL  DECISIONS.     [fART  Xll. 

vSyiiod  of  Kentucky,  affirming  a  decision  of  tlie 
Presbytery  of  Transylvania,  by  which  Mr. 
Todd  was  suspended  from  the  gospel  ministry. 
After  considerable  discussion,  the  following  resolu- 
tion was  adopted :  vtz.  The  Assembly  having 
heard  the  documents  in  this  case,  are  of  opinion 
that  the  way  is  not  clear,  at  present,  for  the  rever- 
sal of  the  sentence  of  suspension :  but  as  it 
appears  to  the  x\ssembly,  that  Mr.  Todd's  opin- 
ions have  not  been  perfectly  understood  ;  and 
whereas  there  appears  to  liave  been  some  irregu- 
larity as  to  the  nature  of  the  testimony  admitted 
on  the  trial  before  the  Presbytery  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Presbytery  of  Transylva- 
nia l)e  directed  to  reconsider  the  case  of  Mr.  Todd, 
to  afford  him  another  opportunity  of  explaining 
himself,  and,  if  they  should  be  satisfied,  to  restore 
him  to  his  former  standing. — Vol.  III.  p.  371. 


CHAP.  IV.]       BAPTIZED  CHILDREN.  3!!7 


CHxVPTER  lY. 


OF  BAPTIZED  CHILDREN. 


Sect,  1.  A  reference  on  the  subject  from  the 
Synod  of  Virginia. 

A  HEFERENCE  from  the  Synod  of  Virginia 
was  laid  before  the  General  Assembly  in   the  fol- 
lowing words  :  vi%,  ^^Throngh  the    committee  of 
overtures  was  laid  before  the  Synod  the  following 
qnestion  :  How  far^  and  in  what  sense^  are  persons 
who  have  been  regularly  baptized  in  infancy  and 
have  not  partaken  of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  subject  to  the  discipline  of  the  church  ?'' 
WILLIA31  HILL, 
Cleric  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia. 
Sejjtemher  27th,  1798. 

After  some  discussion,  it  was  Resolved,  that  the 
public  standards  of  this  church  contain  a  suflficient 
answer  to  the  question  stated  in  the  above  reference. 
—1799.     Vol.  L  p.  195. 

Sect.  2.  A  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  re' 
jiort  in  relation  to  baptized  children,  in  1811. 

Resolved^  that  Drs.   Miller  and  Romevn  and 


328  GENERAL  DECISIONS.      [PART  XII. 

the  Rev.  James  RicJiards,  be  a  committee  to  pre- 
pare and  report^  to  the  next  Assembly^  a  full  and 
complete  answer  to  the  following  overture  from  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky,  which  had  been  made  to  this 
Assembly :  "  VV^hat  steps  should  the  church  take 
with  baptized  youth,  not  in  communion,  but  ar- 
rived at  the  age  of  maturity,  should  such  youth 

prove  disorderly  and  contumacious. Vol.  III. 

p.  19. 

Sect,  3.  The  rejport  of  the  committee  ordered 
to  he  printed,  in  1812. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly 
to  report  to  this  Assembly  on  the  subject  of  disci- 
plining baptized  children  reported ;  and  the  report 
being  read,  was  recommitted  to  the  same  commit- 
tee for  revision  and  publication :  and  it  was  resolved 
that  the  Assembly,  without  expressing  any  opinion, 
on  the  principles  it  contains,  recommend  it  to  the 
serious  consideration  of  all  the  Presbyteries  and 
toinisters,  that  in  due  time  a  decision  may  be  had 
on  the  important  subjects,  discussed  in  the  report. 

Resolved,  That  this  minute  be  printed  in  the 
beginning  of  the  pamphlet  containing  the  report  of 
the  aforesaid  committee. — Vol.  III.  p.  74. 

Sect,  4.  A  committee  apjmnted  in  1814,  to 
consider  and  report  ichat  should  be  done  icith  the 
above  report. 

The  subject  of  a  report  on  the  disciplining  of 
baptized  children,  in  relation  to  which  the  Assem- 
bly of  the  last  year  and  the  year  before  had  taken 
order,  was  called  up,  and  it  appeared  that  several 


CHAP.  IV.]       BAPTIZED  CHILDREN.  329 

Presbyteries  had  brought  forward  a  formal  expres- 
sion of  their  opinion,  in  regard  to  the  adoption  or 
rejection  of  the  report  in  question.  On  this  a  dis- 
cussion having  arisen^  whether  the  report  was  in- 
tended to  be  sent  to  the  Presbyteries,  for  the  ex- 
pression of  Presbyterial  opinion  on  the  subject ;  it 
was,  therefore,  resolved,  that  the  whole  su])ject  be 
referred  to  a  coinmiitee,  to  consider  and  report  to 
the  Assembly,  what  shall  appear  to  them  to  be  a 
correct  method  of  procedure  to  be  adopi^ed  relative 
thereto,  in  the  circumstances  in  wliich  it  is  now  be- 
fore the  Assembly;  and  that  Drs.  Green,  Wood- 
hull,  Wilson,  and  Messrs.  Caldwell  and  Connelly 
be  the  committee. — Yol.  III.  p.  130. 

Sect.  5.  The  rejwrt  indejinitehj  postjyoned,  in 
1814. 

liesohed^  That  the  committee  appointed  to  re- 
port to  the  Assembly  a  correct  method  of  proce- 
dure to  be  adopted  relative  to  a  report  made  by  a 
former  committee  on  the  subject  of  disciplining 
baptized  children,  be  discharged;  and  they  were 
accordingly  discharged;  and  the  subject  was  inde- 
finitelt/  j[iost\}oned, — Yol.  III.  p.  164. 

Sect.  6.  A  question  relative  to  the  qualijica- 
tions  to  be  required  of  parents  icko  offer  their 
children  in  baptism  proposed  to  the  Assembly,  in 
1816. 

The  following  question  was  proposed  to  the  As- 
sembly for  their  decision  :  viz.  "Axq  those  parents 
entitled  to  the  right  of  having  their  children  bap- 

E  e  2 


330  GENERAL  DECISIONS.      [PART  Xll. 

tized^  who  live  in  the  constant  neglect  of  the  other 
sacrament,  viz.  The  Lord's  Supper?'' 

The  following  answer  to  this  question,  was,  on 
motion,  suhmitted  to  the  Assembly  :  viz, 

''  To  the  foregoing  question,  the  Assembly  an- 
swer, that  all  persons  who  make  such  a  credible 
profession  of  saving  faith,  as  to  entitle  them  to  the 
sacrament  of  baptism,  are  by  the  same  profession 
entitled  to  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper ; 
but  every  church  session  must  judge,  when,  if  ever ^ 
the  neglect  of  one  ordinance  is  a  sufficient  ground 
of  suspension,  and  excommunication  from  the  pri- 
vilege of  church  membership." 

After  a  considerable  discussion  of  the  sub- 
ject,   the    previous    question,   being    called    for, 

was  put  and  decided  in  the  negative. Vol.  IIL 

p.  252. 


CHAP,  v.]  APPEALS.  381 


CHAPTER  V. 


OF  APPEALS. 


Sect,  i .  ^In  ajjpeal  may  he  made,  in  some  cases^ 
iiKinediately  by  a  Presbytery  to  the  General  Jis- 
sembly. 

HeSOLVED,  That  the  records  of  the  Synod 
of  Virginia  be  approved ;  except  their  censnre  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Lexington^  for  allowing  an  ap- 
peal from  their  decision  directly  to  the  Assembly, 
without  noticing  the  supposed  irregularity  of  such 

appeal. 1818.     Vol.    III.    p.  420.      See  also, 

p.  280. 

Sect.  2,  The  duty  of  the  resjJondentSy  when  the 
ajpljellant  does  not  appear. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  in  case  of  an  appeal 
or  complaint,  entered  in  an  inferior  judicatory  to  a 
superior,  if  the  appellant  or  appellants  do  not  ap- 
pear at  the  first  meeting  of  the  superior  judicatory, 
protest  may  be  admitted  at  the  instance  of  the  re- 
spondents, at  the  last  session  of  such  meeting,  that 
the  appeal  is  fallen  from,  and  the  sentence  so  ap- 


332  UENEKAL  DECISIONS,   f         [PARTXI!. 

pealed  from  shall  he  considered  as  final. — Vol.  I. 
p.   38. 

See  this  rule   acted  on. — Yol.  I.  p.  47.     Vol. 
III.  p.  23, 


Sect.  3.  •^ttemjjts  to  Mas  the  judgment  of  the 
•Issemhhj  condemned^  in  1814-. 

liesolved^  That,  in  i\ie  opinion  of  the  Assembly, 
the  distribution  of  books,  letters  and  pamphlet*, 
among  the  members  of  the  house,  relating  to  a 
cause  pending  before  them,  or  Avhich  is  expected  to 
be  submitted  to  their  decision,  is  an  infringement 
upon  the  prerogatives  of  this  house,  and  ought  to 
be  discountenanced  as  an  illegal  and  improper  at- 
tempt to  bias  the  judgment  of  th^  members. — Yol. 
111.  p.  143. 


Sect.  4.  What  members  of  ike  Assembly  have 
no  right  to  vote  in  cases  of  appeal. 

Ordered,  tliat  the  business  of  the  appeal,  intro- 
duced last  session,  be  now  resumed:  whereupon, 
the  parties  were  heard  at  full  length :  and  previously 
to  the  discussion  of  the  merits  of  the  cause,  it  was 
Ilesolved.  that  no  minister  belonging  to  the  Synod 
of  Philadelphia,  nor  elder  who  was  a  member  of 
the  judicature  when  the  vote  appealed  from  took 
place,  shall  vote  in  the  decision  thereof  by  this 
Assembly.  The  Moderator,  being  a  mem!)er  of 
the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  withdrew,  and  Dr. 
M^Knight  took  the  chair.— 1792,     Yol.  I.  p.  52. 


CHAP,  v.]  APPEALS.  333 

Sect,  5.  Memhersof  a  judicatory  may  not  vote 
in  the  superior  judicatory,  in  the  question  of  ap- 
proving or  disapproving  their  records. 

See  Chap.  II.  Sect.  7,  of  this  Part. 

Sect,  6.  A  Synod  has  no  right  to  try  a  miniS' 
ter,  unless  his  case  be  brought  before  them,  either 
by  a  reference,  or  an  appeal,  from  his  Fresby- 
tery. 

See  the  case  of  the  Rev.  W,  C.  Davis.— Vol.  11. 
p.  327;  329,  358,  362. 

Sect.  7.  Rules  prescribed  in  regard  to  the  call- 
ing of  a  pastor,  in  1814. 

After  a  full  discussion,  the  motion  to  sustain  the 
Appeal  of  the  Session  of  the  Third  Presbyterian 
Church  in  this  city,  from  the  decision  of  the  Synod 
of  Philadelphia,  affirming  a  decision  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Philadelphia,  by  which  the  Presbytery 
directed  the  said  Session,  within  twenty  days  from 
the  date  of  their  decision,  or  after  the  final  determi- 
nation of  the  case,  to  convene  the  congregation  for 
the  purpose  of  electing  a  Pastor,  was  determined 
in  the  affirmative ;  and  Dr.  Green,  Dr.  Neill,  and 
Mr.  Richards  was  appointed  a  committee  to  pre- 
pare a  minute,  stating  the  principles  upon  which 
the  Assembly  sustained  the  Appeal. 

The  Committee  reported  ;  and  their  report, 
being  read  and  amended,  was  adopted  in  the  words 
following :  viz. 

That  both  to  prevent  misapprehension,  and  to 
aid  the  congregations  and  judicatures  of  this  Church, 


*334  GENERAL  DECISIONS.  [PART  Xll. 

in  (lecidini;  on  any  similar  cases  tli£lt  may  arise,  the 
Assembly  therefore  declare, 

1.  That  in  vacant  congregations,  v.  hich  are  fully 
organized,  the  Session  of  each  Congregation  are 
to  determine,  under  their  responsibility  to  the 
higher  judicatures,  when  the  congregation  are  pre- 
pared to  elect   a  Pastor,  as  directed  in  the  Form 

of  Government  of  this    Church. Chap.  XIY. 

Sect.  1. 

2.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Session,  when  a 
congregation  is  vacant,  to  use  their  best  endea- 
vours to  promote  the  settlement  of  a  pastor  in  the 
same,  in  the  speediest  manner  possible,  consistently 
with  the  peace,  order,  and  edification  of  the  con- 
gi'egation :  and  it  is  the  privilege  of  the  people,  or 
any  poi-tion  of  them,  to  complain  to  the  Presbytery, 
when  they  think  that  the  session,  after  being 
suitably  requested,  neglect  or  refuse  to  convene 
the  congregation  to  elect  a  Pastor. 

3.  That  it  belongs  to  the  Presbyteries  to  talce 
cognizance  of  the  proceedings  of  Sessions  and  Con- 
gregations in  the  important  concern  of  settling  Pas- 
tors :  and  to  adopt  the  most  effectual  measures  on 
the  one  hand  to  prevent  all  undue  delay  by  the 
Session  or  the  People,  and  on  the  other  to  prevent 
all  precipitancy  in  the  settlement  of  any  minister, 
or  the  adoption  of  any  system  of  proceedings  in  the 
congregation  inconsistent  with  the  real  and  perma- 
nent edification  of  the  people. 

4.  That  by  the  due  and  discreet  observance 
of  these  principles  by  all  concerned,  it  will  be  found 
that  so  far  from  the  Session  of  a  conirresiation  hav- 
ing  it  in  their  power  to  deprive  a  majority  of  the 
congregation  of  their  right  to  make  an  election  of 
a  Pastor,  when  sought  in  an  orderly  and  christian 


CHAP,  v.]  APPEALS.  ^35 

manner,  or  to  keep  a  congregation  unsettled  for 
an  indelinite  length  of  time,  the  rights  of  the  peo- 
ple will  be  most  eft'ectually  secured,  and  their 
precious  and  unalienable  privelege  of  choosing 
their  own  pastor  will  be  exercised  by  them  in  the 
shortest  period  which  their  own  real  benefit  Avill 
permit. 

5.  That  the  conviction  of  this  Assembly,  that 
the  foregoing  obvious  and  constitutional  principles 
had  not  been  duly  adhered  to  in  the  case  before 
them, — that  the  Congregation  had  not  proceeded 
with  a  suitable  respect  to  the  Session,  and  the 
Presbytery  did  not  adopt  the  most  suitable  mea- 
sure, when  they  advised  and  directed  the  session 
to  convene  the  congregation  in  twenty  davs  ; — has 
led  the  Assembly  to  sustain  this  appeal,  as  the 
measure  most  constitutional,  best  calculated  on  the 
wiiole  to  do  justice  to  all  the  parties  concerned, 
and  to  point  the  way  to  the  most  speedy  settlement 
of  the  unhappy  diffei*ences  and  disorders  which 
liave  so  long  existed  in  the  particular  congregation 
immediately  concerned. — Vol.  HI.  p.  153,  154. 

Sect.  8.  Judicial  sentences  of  sister  charcJies  to 
be  respected. 

The  business  left  unfinished  on  Saturday  was 
resumed,  viz.  The  Appeal  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Onondaga  from  a  decision  of  the  Synod  of  Geneva, 
relative  to  the  restoration  of  the  Rev.  John  Shep- 
herd to  the  Gospel  Ministry,  who  had  been  deposed 
by  the  Association  of  Fairfield,  Connecticut.  Af- 
ter a  considerable  discussion  of  the  subject,  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  were  adopted:  viz. 


336  GENERAL  DECISIONS.     [pART  Xll. 

Resolved,  1st.  That  the  decision  of  the  Synod  of 
Geneva,  relative  to  the  restoration  of  the  Rev  John 
Shepherd  to  the  office  of  the  Gospel  Ministry,  so 
far  as  it  censures  the  restoration  of  said  Shepherd, 
who  was  deposed  by  a  judicatory  of  the  Church  of 
Christ,  in  fellowship  with  us,  be,  and  hereby  is,  con- 
firmed; because  it  did  not  appear  from  the  records 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Onondaga,  that  the  said  resto- 
ration took  place,  in  consequence  of  any  confession 
of  the  alleged  crime  for  which  the  said  Shepherd 
Avas  deposed  ;  or  of  any  profession  of  penitence  for 
it ;  or  of  any  conference  with  the  Judicatory  which 
deposed  him. 

2.  That  the  Appeal  of  the  Presbytery  of  Onon- 
daga, so  far  as  it  relates  to  the  rescinding  of  their 
vote  to  restore  the  Rev.  John  Shepherd,  be,  and 
hereby  is,  sustained,  on  the  second  reason  of  appeal, 
and  upon  that  alone;  because  the  Assembly  judge, 
that  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  when  once  restored 
by  presbyterial  authority,  cannot  be  deprived  of 
his  office,  except  it  be  by  a  new  process  and  con- 
viction.—1818.     Vol.  III.  p.  416. 


Sect.  9.  •St  complaint  from  one  Presbytery 
against  another,  should  he  laid  before  the  Synod  to 
which  the  latter  Presbytery  belong* 

See  Vol.  III.  1).  413. 


Sect.  10.     A  cauee  may  he  ivithdrawn  by  con- 
sent of  parties  and  all  proceedings  on  it  stayed. 

See  Vol.  III.  p.  155. 


PART    XIII. 


OF 


MATTER, 


CHAPTER  I. 


OF  TESTIMONY  IN  FAVOUR  OF  CERTAIN 
PRINCIPLES,  AND  AGAINST  CERTAIN 
VICES. 


Sect.  1.     Testimony  of  the  late  Synod  of  JWw 
York  and  Philadelphia  against  intolerance. 

AT  having  been  represented  to  the  Synod^  that 
the  Presbyterian  Chnrch  sufi'ers  greatly  in  the 
opinion  of  other  denominations^  from  an  apprehen- 
sion that  they  hold  intolerant  principles^  the  Sy- 
nod do  solem^ily  and  publickly  declare,  that  they 
ever  have,  and  still  do,  renounce  and  abhor  the 
principles  of  intolerance^ ;  and  we  do  believe  that 
every  peaceable  member  of  civil  society  ought  to 

F  f 


338  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.        [pART  XIII. 

l)e  protected  in  the  full  and  free  exercise  of  his  re- 
ligion.—Page  356.— 1783. 

Sect,  2.  Tlie  opinion  of  the  Sijnod  in  regard  to 
slavery  and  its  abolition,  in  1787.* 

The  Synod,  taking  into  consideration  the  over- 
ture concerning  slavery  transmitted  hy  the  commit- 
tee of  overtures,  came  to  the  following  judgment : 
The  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  do 
highly  approve  of  the  general  principles  in  favour 
of  universal  liberty  that  prevail  in  America,  and  the 
interest  which  many  of  the  states  have  taken  in 
promoting  the  abolition  of  slavery.  Yet  in  as  much 
as  men  introduced  from  a  servile  state  to  a  partici- 
pation of  all  the  privileges  of  civil  society,  without 
a  proper  education  and  without  previous  habits  of 
industry,  may  be,  in  many  respects,  dangerous  to 
the  community :  therefore  they  earnestly  recommend 
it  to  all  the  members  belonging  to  their  communion^ 
to  give  those  persons  wlio  are  at  present  held  in 
servitude  such  good  education  as  to  prepare  them 
for  the  better  enjoyment  of  freedom  :  and  they 
moreover,  recommend  that  masters,  wherever  they 
find  servants  disposed  to  make  a  just  improvement 
of  the  privilege,  would  give  tbem  a  peculium,  or 
grant  them  sufficient  time  and  sufficient  means  of 
procuring  their  own  liberty  at  a  moderate  rate; 
that  thereby  they  may  be  brought  into  society  with 
those  habits  of  industry  that  raav  reader  them  use- 
ful  citizens :  and,  finally,  they  recommend  it  to  all 
their  people  to  use  the  most  prudent  measures,  con- 


Published  by  order  of  the  Assembly  in  1793. 


qHAP.  I.]  SLAVERY.  389 

sistent  with  the  interests  and  the  state  of  civil  so- 
ciety in  the  countries  where  tliey  live,  to  procure 
eventually  the  final  abolition  of  slavery  in  Ame- 
rica. 


Sect.  3.  Advice  given  by  the  Assemhly  in  rela- 
tion to  slavery f  in  1815. 

The  committee  to  which  was  committed  the  re- 
port of  the  committee  to  which  the  petition  of  some 
eldersj  who  entertain  conscieutious  scruples  on  the 
subject  of  holding  slaves,  together  with  that  of  the 
Synod  of  Ohio  concerning  the  buying  and  selling 
of  slaves,  had  been  referred,  reported  ;  and  tlicir 
report  being  read  and  amended,  was  adopted,  and 
is  as  follows  :  viz. 

The  Greneral  Assembly  have  repeatedly  declared 
their  cordial  approbation  of  those  principles  of 
civil  liberty  which  appear  to  be  recognized  by  the 
\Federal  and  State  governments  in  these  United 
States.  They  have  expressed  their  regret,  that 
the  slavery  of  the  Africans  and  of  their  descendants 
still  continues  in  so  many  places,  and  even  among 
those  within  the  pale  of  the  church  ;  and  have  urged 
the  Presbyteries  under  their  cai-e  to  adopt  such 
measures  as  will  secure  at  least  to  the  rising  gene- 
ration of  slaves,  within  the  bounds  of  the  church, 
a  religious  education  ;  that  they  may  be  prepared 
for  the  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  liberty,  when 
God,  in  his  Providence,  may  open  a  door  for  their 
emancipation.  The  committee  refer  said  petitioners 
to  the  Printed  Extracts  of  the  Synod  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia,  for  the  year  1787  on  this 
subject,  repvd)lished  by  the  Assembly  in  1793  ;  and 
also  to  the  Extracts  of  the  mimit^a  of  the  Assem- 


340  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.        [PATiT  XIJL 

hly  for  1795;  Avliicli  last, are  in  the  folloAving 
\v  ords :    viz, 

'^A  serious  and  conscientious  person^  a  member 
of  a  Presbyterian  congregation,  wlio  views  the  sla- 
\  ery  of  the  negroes  as  a  moral  evil^  highly  offen- 
sive to  God^  and  injurious  to  the  interests  of  the 
Gospel^  lives  under  tlie  ministry  of  a  person,  or 
amongst  a  society  of  people,  who  concur  with  him 
in  sentiment  on  the  subject  upon  general  principles; 
yet,  for  particular  reasons,  hold  slaves,  and  tolerate 
the  practice  in  others  :  Ought  the  former  of  these 
persons,  under  the  impressions  and  circumstances 
iibove  described,  to  hold  cliristian  communion  with 
the  latter  ?^^ 

^V^hereupon,  after  due  deliberation,  it  was  Re- 
solved'^  that  as  the  same  difference  of  opinion  with 
respect  to  slavery  takes  place  in  sundry  other 
parts  of  tJie  Presbyterian  Church,  notwithstanding 
which  they  live  in  charity  and  peace,  according  to 
the  doctrine  and  practice  of  tie  Apostles;  it  is 
hereby  recommended  to  all  conscientious  persons, 
and  especially  to  those  whom  it  immediately  re- 
spects, to  do  the  same.  At  the  same  time  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  assure  all  the  churclies  under  their 
care,  that  they  view  With  the  deepest  concern  any 
any  vestiges  of  slavery  which  may  exist  in  our 
country,  and  refer  the  churches  to  the  Records  of 
the  General  Assembly,  published  at  different  times; 
byt  especially  to  an  overture  of  the  late  Synod  of 
New  York  and  Pliiladelphia,  published  in  1787, 
and  re-published  among  the  extracts  from  the  min- 
utes of  the  General  Assembly  of  1793,  on  that 
liead,  with  which,  they  trust,  every  conscientious 
person  will  be  fully  satisfied. 


CHAP.  I.]  slavf:ry.  o4i 

This  is  deemed  a  sufficient  answer  lo  the  first  pc 
tition  ;  and  with  regard  to  the  second^  the  Assem- 
bly observe,  that,  although  in  some  sections  of  our 
country,  under  certain  circumstances,  the  transfer 
of  slaves  may  be  unavoidable,  yet  they  consider 
the  buying  and  selling  of  slaves  by  way  of  traffic. 
and  all  undue  severity  in  the  management  of  them, 
as  inconsistent  with  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel.  And 
they  recommend  it  to  the  Presbyteries  and  Sessions 
under  their  care,  to  make  use  of  all  prudent  mea- 
sures to  prevent  such  shameful  and  unrighteous 
conduct. 

Sect.  4.  A  full  expression  of  the  Assembly's 
views  of  slavery,  in  1818. 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  reso- 
lution on  the  subject  of  selling  a  slave,  a  member  of 
the  church,  and  Avhich  was  directed  to  prepare  a 
report  to  be  a<lopted  by  the  Assembly,  expressing 
their  opinion  in  general  on  the  subject  of  slavery, 
reported;  and  their  report  being  read,  was  imani- 
moiisly  adopted,  and  referred  to  the  same  committee 
for  publication. 

It  is  as  follows:  viz. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  having  taken  into  consideration  the  sub- 
ject of  Slavery,  think  proper  to  make  known  their 
sentiments  upon  it  to  the  churches  and  people  un- 
der their  care. 

We  consider  the  voluntary  enslaving  of  one  part 
of  the  human  race  by  another,  as  a  gross  violation 
of  the  most  precious  and  sacred  rights  of  human 
nature ;  as  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  law  of 
God,  which  requires  us  to  love  our  neighbour  as 

F  f  2 


.J42  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTEU.        [PART  Xlll. 

ourselves ;  and  as  totally  irreconcilable  with  the 
spirit  and  principles  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  vvhich 
enjoin  that,  "  all  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that 
Bien  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them." 
Slavery  creates  a  paradox  in  the  moral  system — 
it  exhibits  rational,  accountable,  and  immortal 
beings,  in  such  circumstances  as  scarcely  to  leave 
them  tlie  power  of  moral  action.  It  exhibits  them 
as  dependent  on  the  w  ill  of  others,  whether  they 
shall  receive  religious  instruction ;  whether  they 
shall  know  and  worship  the  true  God  ;  whether 
they  shall  enjoy  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel ; 
whether  they  sliall  perform  the  duties  and  cherish 
the  endearments  of  hus])ands  and  wives,  parents 
and  children,  neighbours  and  friends  ;  whether 
they  shall  preserve  their  chastity  and  purity,  or  i^- 
gard  the  dictates  of  justice  and  humanity.  Such 
;ire  some  of  the  coiisequences  of  Slavery, — conse- 
quences not  imaginary— but  which  connect  them- 
selves with  its  very  existence.  The  evils  to  Avhich 
the  slave  is  alicays  exposed,  often  take  place  in 
fact,  and  in  their  very  worst  degree  and  form  :  and 
where  all  of  them  do  not  take  place,  as  we  rejoice 
to  say  that  in  many  instances,  through  the  intiu- 
<'nce  of  the  principles  of  humanity  and  religion  on 
(he  minds  of  masters,  they  do  not — still  the  slave 
is  deprived  of  his  natural  rigiit,  degraded  as  a  hu- 
man being,  and  exposed  to  the  danger  of  passing 
into  the  hands  of  a  master  wiio  may  inllict  upon  him 
all  the  hardships  and  injuries  which  inhumanity 
and  avarice  may  suggest. 

From  this  view  of  tlie  consequences  resulting 
from  the  practice  into  whicli  christian  people  have 
most  inconsistently  fallen,  of  enslaving  a  portion  of 
their  brethren  of  mankind — for  '^  God  hath  made 


CHAP.  I.]  SLAVERY,  343 

of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men  to  dwell  on  the 
face  of  the  earth'^ — it  is  manifestly  the  duty  of  all 
christians  who  enjoy  the  light  of  the  present  day, 
when  tlie  inconsistency  of  slavery^  both  with  the 
dictates  of  humanity  and  religion,  has  been  demon- 
strated, and  is  generally  seen  and  acknowledged, 
to  use  their  honest,  earnest,  and  unwearied  endea- 
vours, to  correct  the  errors  of  former  times,  and  as 
speedily  as  possible  to  efface  this  blot  on  our  holy 
religion,  and  to  obtain  the  complete  abolition  of 
slavery  throughout  Christendom,  and  if  possible 
throughout  the  world. 

We  rejoice  that  tlie  church  to  which  we  belong 
commenced,  as  early  as  any  other  in  this  country, 
the  good  work  of  endeavouring  to  put  an  end  to 
slavery,^  and  that  in  the  same  work,  many  of  its 
members  have  ever  since  been,  and  now  are,  among 
the  most  active,  vigorous,  and  efficient  labourers. 
We  do,  indeed,  tenderly  sympathize  with  those 
portions  of  our  church  and  our  country,  where  the 
evil  of  slavery  has  been  entailed  upon  them  ;  where 
a  greatj,  and  tlie  most  virtuous  part  of  the  commu- 
nity abhor  slavery,  and  wish  its  extermination,  as 
sincerely  as  any  others — ^but  where  the  number  of 
slaves,  their  ignorance,  and  their  vicious  habits 
generally,  render  an  immediate  and  universal  eman- 
cipation inconsistent,  alike,  with  the  safety  and 
happiness  of  the  master  and  the  slave.  With  those 
who  are  thus  circumstanced,  w^e  repeat  that  we  ten- 
derly sympathize. — ^At  the  same  time,  we  earnestly 
exhort  them  to  continue,  and,  if  possible,  to  in- 


*  It  a  note  the  Assembly  republished  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of 
Xew  York  and  Philadelphia,  on  this  subject,  which  the  reader  may 
find  in  Sect.  2,  preceding. 


344  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.        [PART  XIII, 

crease  their  exertions  to  effect  a  total  abolition  of 
slavery. — We  exhort  them  to  suffer  no  greater  de- 
lay to  take  place  in  this  most  interesting  concern^ 
than  a  regard  to  the  public  welfare  truly  and  indls- 
jjensably  demands. 

As  our  country  has  inflicted  a  most  grievous 
injury  on  the  unhappy  Africans,  by  bringing  them 
into  slavery,  we  cannot,  indeed,  urge  that  Ave 
should  add  a  second  injury  to  the  first,  by  emanci- 
pating them  in  such  manner  as  that  they  will  be 
likely  to  destroy  themselves  or  others.  But  we 
do  think,  that  our  country  ought  to  be  governed  in 
this  matter,  by  no  other  consideration  than  an 
honest  and  impartial  regard  to  the  happiness  of 
the  injured  party  ;  uninfluenced  by  the  expense  or 
inconvenience  which  such  a  regard  may  involve. 
We  therefore  warn  all  who  belong  to  our  denomi- 
nation of  christians,  against  unduly  extending  this 
plea  of  necessity  5  against  making  it  a  cover  for  the 
love  and  practice  of  slavery,  or  a  pretence  for  not 
using  efforts  that  are  lawful  and  practicable  to  ex- 
tinguish the  evil. 

And  ire,  at  the  same  time,  exhort  others  to  for- 
bear harsh  censures,  and  uncharitable  reflections 
on  their  brethren,  who  unhappily  live  among  slaves, 
whom  they  cannot  immediately  set  free;  but  who,  at 
the  same  time,  are  really  using  all  their  influence, 
and  all  their  endeavours,  to  bring  them  into  a  state 
of  freedom,  as  soon  as  a  door  for  it  can  be  safely 
opened. 

Having  thus  expressed  our  views  of  slavery, 
and  of  the  duty  indespensably  incumbent  on  all 
christians  to  labour  for  its  complete  extinction,  we 
proceed  to  recommend — (and  we  do  it  with  all  the 
earnestness  and  solemnity  which  this  momentous 


CHAP.  I.]  SLAVERY.  345 

subject  demands) — a  particular  attention  to  the 
following  points. 

We  recommend  to  all  our  people  to  patronize  and. 
encourage  the  Society,  lately  formed,  for  colonizing 
in  Africa,  the  land  of  their  ancestors,  the  free  peo- 
ple of  colour  in  our  country.  We  hope  that  much 
good  may  result  from  the  plans  and  efforts  of  this 
Society.  And  while  we  exceedingly  rejoice  to 
have  witnessed  its  origin  and  organization  among 
the  holders  of  slaves,  as  giving  an  unequivocal 
pledge  of  their  desire  to  deliver  themselves  and 
their  country  from  the  calamity  of  slavery  5  we  hope 
that  those  portions  of  the  American  Union,  whose 
inhabitants  are,  by  a  gracious  Providence,  more  fa- 
vourably circumstanced,  will  cordially,  and  libe- 
rally, and  earnestly  co-operate  with  their  brethren, 
in  bringing  about  the  great  end  contemplated. 

We  recommend  to  all  the  members  of  our  re- 
ligious denomination,  not  only  to  permit,  but  to  fa- 
cilitate and  encourage  the  instruction  of  their  slaves, 
in  the  principles  and  duties  of  the  christian  reli- 
gion; by  granting  them  liberty  to  attend  on  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel,  when  they  have  the  oppor- 
tunity; by  favouring  the  instruction  of  tliem  in  Sab- 
bath-Schools, wherever  those  Schools  can  be  form- 
ed; and  by  giving  them  all  other  proper  advanta- 
ges for  acfjuiring  the  knowledge  of  their  duty  both 
to  God  and  man.  We  are  perfectly  satisfied,  that, 
as  it  is  incumbent  on  all  christians  to  communicate 
religious  instruction  to  those  who  are  under  their 
authority,  so  the  doing  of  this  in  the  case  be- 
fore us,  so  far  from  operating,  as  some  have  appre- 
hended that  it  might,  as  an  excitement  to  insubordi- 
nation and  insurrection,  w^ould,  on  the  contrary, 


346  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.         [pART  XIll. 

operate  as  the  most  powerful  means  for  the  preven- 
tion of  those  evils.  ^ 

3.  We  enjoin  it  on  all  Church  Sessions  and  Pres- 
byteries, under  the  care  of  this  Assembly,  to  dis- 
countenance, and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  prevent,  all 
cruelty  of  whatever  kind  in  the  treatment  of  slaves ; 
especially  the  cruelty  of  separating  husband  and 
wife,  parents  and  children;  and  that  which  con- 
sists in  selling  slaves  to  those  wlio  w  ill  either  them- 
selves deprive  these  unhappy  people  of  the  bless- 
ings of  the  Gospel,  or  wlio  will  transport  them  to 
places  where  the  Gospel  is  not  proclaimed,  or 
where  it  is  forbidden  to  slaves  to  attend  upon  its 
institutions. — The  manifest  violation  or  disregard 
of  the  injunction  here  given,  in  its  true  spirit  and 
intention,  ought  to  be  considered  as  just  ground  for 
the  discipline  and  censures  of  the  church. — And  if 
it  shall  ever  happen  that  a  christian  professor,  in 
our  communion,  shall  sell  a  slave  who  is  also  in 
communion  and  good  standing  with  our  church, 
contrary  to  his  or  her  will,  and  inclination,  it  ought 
immediately  to  claim  the  particular  attention  of  thq 


*  The  following-  intelligence  has  been  recently  received,  and  may  be 
relied  on  as  authentic  ;  "  The  legislature  of  Antigua,  having  held  a  con- 
ference  with  the  Missionaries  (of  the  United  Breihren,  comnnonly  called 
Moravians)  to  induce  them  to  extend  their  missions  there,  and  finding 
it  out  of  their  power,  voted  them  one  thousand  pounds  to  build  a 
church  and  house,  and  three  hundred  pounds  per  annum,  for  the  sup- 
port of  Missionaries  at  one  station;  granting  and  offering  as  much 
crown  land  as  should  be  wanting  for  that  or  other  stations  :  and  in  the 
despatch  to  LordBathurst  from  the  government  of  Antigua,  it  is  stated 
that  the  legislature  lamented  their  limited  finances  prevented  their  do- 
ing mce ;  as  they  were  persuaded,  that  to  the  labours  of  those  Mis- 
sionaries  among  the  negroes,  they  were  mainly  indebted  for  a  state  of 
profound  tranquillity,  while  other  islands  had  been  exposed  to  i-evolt 
and  insurrection.  The  brethren  have  about  twelve  thousand  negroes  in 
their  congregations  on  that  island,** 


CHAP.  I.]         COLONIZATION  SOCIETY.  347 

proper  church  judicature ;  and  unless  there  be  such 
peculiar  circumstances  attending  the  case  as  can 
but  seldom  happen,  it  ought  to  be  followed,  with- 
out delay,  by  a  suspension  of  the  offender  from  all 
tlie  privileges  of  the  church,  till  he  repent,  and 
make  all  the  reparation  in  his  power,  to  the  in» 
jured  party. 


Sect,  5.  The  plan  of  the  American  Society 
for  colonizing  the  free  people  of  colour  recommend' 
ed,  in  1819. 

The  following  overture  was  submitted  to  the  As- 
sembly, which,  being  read  and  amended,  was  adop- 
ted :  viz. 

The  objects  and  plans  of  the  American  Society 
for  Colonizing  the  Free  People  of  Colour  of  the 
United  States,  having  been  stated  to  the  General 
Assembly,  and  the  same  having  been  considered 
and  discussed,  the  Assembly  resolved  that,  in  their 
opinion,  the  plan  of  the  Society  is  benevolent  in  its 
design,  and  if  properly  supported,  and  judiciously 
and  vigorously  prosecuted,  is  calculated  to  be  ex- 
tensively useful  to  this  country  and  to  Africa. 

The  situation  of  the  people  of  colour  in  this 
country,  ha«  frequently  attracted  the  attention  of 
this  Assembly.  In  the  distinctive  and  indelible 
marks  of  their  colour,  and  the  prejudices  of  the 
people,  an  insuperable  obstacle  has  been  placed  to 
the  execution  of  any  plan  for  elevating  their  charac- 
ter, and  placing  them  on  a  footing  with  their  breth- 
ren of  the  same  common  family.  In  restoring 
them  to  the  land  of  their  fathers,  the  Assembly  hope 
that  the  way  may  be  opened,  not  only  for  the 
accomplishment  of  that  ^  bject,  but  for  introdu= 


348  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.        [PART  Xlll. 

cing  civilization  and  Gospel  to  the  benighted  na- 
tions of  Africa. — From  the  information  and  state- 
ment received^  the  Assembly  believe  that  the  pro- 
posed colony  in  Africa^  may  be  made  a  powerful 
auxiliary  in  the  efforts  which  are  making  to  abolish 
the  iniquitous  trafic  in  slaves^  carried  on  in  Africa; 
and  happily  calculated  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a 
gradual  emancipation  of  slaves  in  our  own  coun- 
try, in  a  legal  and  constitutional  manner,  and  with- 
out violating  the  rights,  or  injuring  the  feelings  of 
our  southern  brethren.  With  these  views,  the 
Assembly  feel  it  a  duty  to  recommend  the  American 
Society  for  Colonizing  the  Free  People  of  Colour 
of  the  United  States,  to  the  patronage  and  atten- 
tion of  the  churches  under  their  care,  and  to  benev- 
olent individuals  throughout  the  union. 

Sect.  6.  Report  of  a  committee  on  the  subject 
of  a  j)etition  to  Congress^  in  1815. 

Your  committe  to  whom  was  refeiTed  a  petition 
communicated  by  the  committee  of  overtures,  re- 
questing a  renewed  application  to  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States,  with  respect  to  the  violations  of 
the  sabbath  occasioned  by  the  transporting  and 
opening  of  the  mail  on  that  sacred  day,  beg  leave 
to  report,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  your  committee, 
that  no  exertions  which  can  be  made  for  promoting 
the  sanctification  of  the  Lord's  Day  can  exceed 
the  importance  of  the  object. 

A  due  observance  of  this  institution  of  our  holy 
religion,  is  the  characteristic  signature  by  which 
God  has  distinguished  his  people,  and  which  he 
has  instituted  as  a  covenant  sign  of  their  relation 
to  him.     His  institutioi:«,  it  becomes  us  to  remem- 


CHAP.  I.]       PETITION  TO  CONGRESS.  349 

ber,  are  not  useless  forms.  They  have  their  foun- 
dation in  the  nature  and  constitution  of  things  ;  we 
cannot,  therefore,  give  up  the  sign  without  renoun- 
cing  the  blessing  thereby  signified.  Were  this 
grand  pillar  of  the  Christian  fabric  removed,  the 
whole  building  would  soon  fall  to  the  ground.  The 
powerful  influence  of  that  day  is  even  now  scarce 
sufficient,  as  we  have  many  melancholy  proofs,  to 
support  the  cause  of  truth  and  vital  piety ;  who 
then  can  but  foresee  the  direful  consequences  of 
being  deprived  of  its  privileges  ! 

These  considerations  receive  a  peculiai*  weight 
at  the  present  time  from  existing  circumstances.  It 
is  doubtless  well  known  to  many  members  of  this 
body,  that  great  exertions  are  making  in  various 
parts  of  the  Union,  and  particularly  in  the  Eastern 
States,  for  promoting  the  due  observance  of  the 
Christian  Sabbath.  To  these  efforts  there  are 
many  adversaries  ;  and  if  this  opposition  remain 
armed  with  national  authority,  and  this  Assembly, 
who  first  raised  the  standard  of  truth,  and  invited 
their  brethren  to  the  glorious  struggle,  also  forsake 
them ;  the  prospect  is,  that  the  flood-gates  of  ini- 
quity will  be  again  forced  ojien,  and  a  far  greater 
inundation  follow.  These  circumstances  imperi- 
ously urge  to  the  measure  stated  in  the  petition. 
But  what  encouragement,  some  may  say,  can  we 
have  to  renew  our  application  after  such  a  refusal  ? 
Your  committee  are  of  the  opinion,  that  the  very 
act  of  petitioning  will  have  no  small  effect,  both  to 
animate  the  friends,  and  to  weaken  the  enemies  of 
this  cause.  But  this  is  not  our  only  hope.  Shall 
we  forget  that  God  has  the  entire  controul  of  the 
hearts  of  men,  and  that  those  who  faithfully  pur- 
sue the  path  of  duty  may,  with  confidence,  rely 

G  g 


350  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.         [PART  XIII. 

upon  his  aid  ?  Nay^  we  are  encouraged  to  the  re- 
application,  by  the  terms  in  which  the  refusal  of 
our  former  request  was  given.  The  reason  having 
ceased  to  exist  on  which  that  refusal  was  predi- 
catedj  as  far  as  we  have  confidence  in  the  sincerity 
of  our  rulers,  so  far  we  may  extend  our  confidence 
that  they  will  now  give  due  weight  to  our  remon- 
strances. How  indeed  can  we  doubt  the  counte- 
nance of  those  in  tliis  cause,  who  declare  it  to  be 
their  belief,  "  That  public  policy,  pure  morality, 
and  undefiled  religion,  combine  in  favour  of  a  due 
observance  of  the  Sabbath  ?"  However  weak  the 
practical  infiuence  of  this  truth  may  be  found,  we 
cannot  doubt  but  that  it  is  the  language  of  convic- 
tion. The  grand  experiment  by  which  God  has 
been  demonstrating  to  mankind  the  destructive  na- 
ture of  infidelity,  with  regard  to  society,  must  force 
open  the  eyes  even  of  the  blind,  to  see  the  fatal 
tendency  of  sin,  especially  in  republics,  which  are 
founded  on  the  principle,  that  the  law  is  tlie  su- 
preme power.  A  free  government,  therefore,  in 
which  existing  laws  have  lost  their  efficacy,  pre- 
sents to  view  a  government  in  which  the  supreme 
authority  lies  prostrate  under  the  feet  of  the  lawless 
and  disobedient.  In  producing  this  most  unhappy 
state  of  society,  the  first  effects  of  iniquity  will  be 
exerted  to  silence  tliose  laws  and  regulations  which 
most  powerfully  counteract  the  depraved  feelings 
of  the  heart ;  which  tend  to  strengthen  the  moral 
sense ;  and  which  remind  men  of  their  accounta- 
bility to  that  tribunal  from  which  there  is  no  appeal. 
If,  therefore,  the  main  spring  of  moral  instruction 
and  moral  feeling,  is  found  in  a  due  sanctification 
of  the  Sabbath,  to  destroy  its  influence,  to  them  so 
irksome,  will  be  ih^  first  effort  of  the  sons  of  Belial. 


CHAP.  I.]  CERTAIN  VICES.  351 

The  spirit  of  infidelity,  which  united  itself  with 
the  French  revolution,  intuitively  pursued  this 
course.  Her  first  and  most  fatal  blow  was  directed 
against  this  sacred  institution.  By  a  successful  ef- 
fort here  she  silenced  at  once  the  batteries  of  truth, 
and  opened  the  way  for  the  unrestrained  practice 
of  her  future  enormities.  To  suppose  that  our  ru- 
lers will  not  be  influenced  by  truths  so  plain,  and 
of  which  they  have  avowed  their  conviction,  is  to 
suppose  them  destitute,  not  only  of  the  fear  of  God, 
but  of  political  wisdom,  and  even  willing  to  plunge 
themselves,  their  friends,  and  families  into  all  the 
horrors  of  anarchy,  and  unrestrained  licentiousness. 
Wherefore, 

Resolved  J  1st.  That  the  General  Assembly  re- 
commend to  all  the  churches  and  societies  in  their 
connexion,  to  petition  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  that  such  arrangements  may  be  made  as 
may  prevent  the  transportation  and  opening  of  the 
mail  on  the  Sabbath  day. 

2ndly.  That  it  be,  and  it  hereby  is,  earnestly 
recommended  to  all  the  Presbyteries  under  the 
cai*e  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  adopt  speedy 
measures  to  induce  the  Societies  within  their  re- 
spective limits,  to  circulate  petitions  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  having  circulated  them  for  signatures  to 
transmit  them  to  Congress  by  the^*?'^^  day  of  JaniL- 
ary  next. 

Sect.   7.     Extract  from  the  pastoral  letter  of 

1818. 

A  general  movement  of  Protestant  Christendom 
has  taken  place;  an  unusul  blessing  has  descended 
on  the  Church  of  Christ ;  and  we  are  probably 


352  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.         f  PART  Xlll. 

approaching  some  day  of  the  Son  of  Man  of  no 
usual  or  ordinary  character. — The  present,  there- 
fore, is  no  doubt  a  favourable  time,  not  only  for  ex- 
tending the  influence,  but  for  advancing  the  purity 
of  the  church ;  for  the  extirpation  of  any  errors, 
and  the  abolition  of  any  unchristian  practices 
which  may  have  found  entrance  among  us,  during 
the  long  period  of  comparative  darkness  and  deser- 
tion through  which  w^e  have  passed.  And 
although  we  do  not  believe  that  any  thing  immoral 
or  vicious  is  more  prevalent  now  than  at  some  for- 
mer periods  or  even  as  much  so,  yet  the  existence 
of  such  things  at  the  present  time,  strikes  the  minds 
of  serious  christians  with  an  appearance  of  greater 
deformity,  and  fills  them  with  more  pungent  regret 
as  it  is  exhibited  in  such  dark  contrast  with  that 
promising  and  wonderful  aspect  of  things  so  exten- 
sively displayed  by  the  christian  world.  The  free 
conversation  on  the  state  of  religion  has  brought 
some  such  things  to  our  view,  against  which  we 
feel  constrained  to  bear  our  decided  testimony ;  and 
we  would  enter  upon  this  duty  with  the  tenderness 
and  meekness,  but  at  the  same  time  with  the  firm- 
ness and  authority,  which  becomes  a  Judicatory  of 
the  Church  of  Christ. 

The  first  thing  we  shall  notice  is  the  crime  of 
Drunkenness,  This  crime  has  at  all  times  been  a 
curse  to  our  country,  and  has  often  made  lamenta- 
ble inroads  upon  our  Church.  We  are  convinced 
that  it  may  be  opposed  more  successfully  by  pre- 
vention than  in  any  other  way.  When  the  charac- 
ter of  drunkenness  is  fully  formed,  the  unhappy 
victim  is  lost  to  those  motives  which  ordinarily  in- 
fluence all  other  classes  of  men.  In  this  state  of 
things  nothing  but  a  miracle  of  divine  grace  can  ef- 


GHAP.  I.]  CERTAIN  VICES.  35-3 

fpxt  his  reformation.  The  certain  and  acknow- 
ledged prospect  of  the  wreck  of  his  family,  his 
fortune,  and  his  character ;  and  even  of  the  ruin  of 
his  immortal  soul,  is  not  sufficient  to  arrest  his 
course :  and  yet  perhaps  the  same  man  may  for- 
merly have  been  in  such  a  state  of  equilibrium  or 
indecision  upon  this  sijbject,  that  the  smallest  mo- 
tives might  have  prevented  the  formation  of  a  ha- 
bit, which  in  its  maturity  has  become  se  irresisti- 
ble.— This  consideration  is  certainly  sufficient  to 
justify  an  effort  for  saving  our  fellow  men  from  the 
domination  of  so  destructive  a  vice.  For  this  pur- 
pose we  earnestly  recommend  to  the  officers  and 
members  of  our  Church  to  abstain  even  from  the 
common  use  of  ardent  spirits.  Such  a  voluntary 
privation  as  this,  with  its  motives  publickly  avow- 
ed, will  not  be  without  its  effect  in  cautioning  our 
fellow  christians  and  fellow  citizens,  against  the  en- 
croachment of  intoxication  ;  and  we  have  the  more 
confidence  in  recommending  this  course,  as  it  has 
already  been  tried  with  success  in  several  sections 
of  our  Church. 

The  vice  of  Gambling  has  also  been  forced  upon 
our  attention.  We  indeed  hope  that  few,  or  per- 
haps none,  of  our  actual  professors,  have  indulged 
themselves  in  the  practice  of  what  they  consider  as 
coming  under  the  denomination  of  Crambling.  But 
perhaps  there  are  some  addicted  to  this  practice  who 
have  evinced  a  predilection  for  our  Church,  and 
forms  of  Avorship,  and  who  are  not  unwilling  to 
receive  the  word  of  admonition  from  us.  Such  we 
would  earnestly  exhort  to  consider  in  the  most  se- 
rious manner,  the  consequences  of  the  course  they 
are  pursuing,  and  the  awful  lessons  which  the  ex- 
perience of  the  world^  is  every  day  exhibiting  on 


354  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.         [PART  XIII, 

this  subject.  But  it  is  further  our  duty  to  testify, 
that  all  encouragement  of  lotteries,  and  purchasing 
of  lottery  tickets ;  all  attendance  on  horse  racing, 
and  betting  on  such,  or  on  any  other  occasions  ;  and 
all  attempts  of  whatever  kind  to  acquire  gain  with- 
out giving  an  equivalent,  involve  the  Gambling 
principle,  and  participate  in4lie  guilt  which  attaches 
to  that  vice. 

Or  the  fashionable,  though,  as  we  believe,  dan- 
gerous amusements,  of  Theatrical  Exhibitions  and 
Dancing  J  we  deem  it  necessary  to  make  a  few  ob- 
servations. The  Theatre  we  have  always  consid- 
ered as  a  school  of  immorality.  If  any  person 
wishes  for  honest  conviction  on  this  subject,  let  him 
attend  to  the  character  of  that  mass  of  matter,  which 
is  generally  exhibited  on  the  stage.  We  believe 
all  will  agree,  that  comedies  at  least,  with  a  few 
exceptions,  are  of  such  a  description,  that  a  virtuous 
and  modest  person  cannot  attend  the  representation 
of  them,  without  the  most  painful  and  embarrassing 
sensations.  If  indeed  custom  has  fiimiliarized  the 
scene,  and  these  painful  sensations  are  no  longer 
felt,  it  only  proves  that  the  person  in  question  has 
lost  some  of  the  best  sensibilities  of  our  nature; 
that  the  strongest  safeguard  of  virtue  has  been  taken 
down,  and  that  the  moral  character  has  undergone 
a  serious  depreciation. 

With  respect  to  Dancings  we  think  it  necessary 
to  observe,  that  however  plausible  it  may  appear  to 
some,  it  is  perhaps  not  the  less  dangerous  on  account 
of  that  plausibility.  It  is  not  from  those  things 
which  the  world  acknowledges  to  be  most  wrong, 
that  the  greatest  danger  is  to  be  apprehended  to 
religion,  especially  as  it  relates  to  the  young.  When 
the  practice  is  carried  to  its  highest  extremes^  all 


CHAP.  I.]  ADVICE.  355 

admit  the  consequences  to  be  fatal ;  and  why  not  then 
apprehend  danger,  even  from  its  incipient  stages. 
It  is  certainly,  in  all  its  stages,  a  fascinating  and 
an  infatuating  practice.  Let  it  once  be  introduced, 
and  it  is  difficult  to  give  it  limits.  It  steals  away 
our  precious  time,  dissipates  religious  impressions, 
and  hardens  the  heart.  To  guard  you,  beloved 
brethren,  against  its  wiles  and  its  fascinations,  we 
earnestly  recommend  that  you  will  consult  that 
sobriety  which  the  sacred  pages  require.  We  also 
trust,  that  you  will  attend  with  the  meekness  and 
docility  becoming  the  christian  character,  to  the 
admonitions  on  this  subject  of  those  whom  you 
have  chosen  to  watch  for  your  souls.  And  now 
beloved  brethren,  that  you  may  be  guarded  from 
the  dangers  that  we  have  pointed  out,  and  from 
all  other  dangers  which  beset  the  path  of  life  and 
obstruct  our  common  salvation,  and  that  the  great 
head  of  the  church  may  have  you  in  his  holy  keep- 
ing is  our  sincere  and  affectionate  prayer.   Amen. 

Sect.  8.  The  opinion  and  advice  of  the  Assem- 
bly given  in  relation  to  the  embarrassed  state  of 
things f  in  1819. 

The  General  Assembly  viewing  with  deep  .in- 
terest the  present  state  of  our  country,  and  more 
especially  the  commercial  embarrassments  which 
press  upon  every  part  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  spirit  of  corrupt  and  mischievous  speculation 
which  is  probably  to  be  regarded  as  both  a  cause 
and  an  effect  of  these  embarrassments — feel  it  to  be 
their  duty  to  take  this  notice  of  the  unhappy  state 
of  things,  and  to  express  their  opinion  of  the  proper 
remedy,     The  Assembly  then  are  persuaded^  that 


856  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.         [pART  XIII, 

the  evils,  so  general  in  the  prevalence,  and  so  se- 
vere in  their  pressure,  primarily  on  the  commercial 
and  manufacturing  portions  of  the  community,  but 
in  a  considerable  degree,  on  all,  owe  their  origin,  in 
a  great  measure  to  that  spirit  of  cupidity,  of  adven- 
turous and  unjustifiable  speculation,  of  extrava- 
gance and  luxury,  which  so  unhappily  prevails  in 
our  country ;  and  also  in  no  small  degree  to  the 
want  of  that  kind  of  education  which  is  calculated 
to  prepare  youth  for  solid  usefulness  in  the  church 
and  in  civil  society.  The  Assembly  therefore  are 
firmly  persuaded,  that  the  effectual  remedy  for 
these  evils,  under  God,  is  to  be  found  only  in  a  re- 
currence to  those  principles  and  duties  of  our  holy 
religion,  which  are  not  less  conducive  to  the  tem- 
poral welfare  of  men,  than  to  their  eternal  happi- 
ness ;  and  they  have  no  hope,  that  general  prosper- 
ity can  be  restored  to  our  country,  until  there  is  a 
return  to  those  habits  of  industry,  temperance, 
moderation,  economy  and  general  virtue  which  our 
common  Christianity  inculcates. 

Under  these  impressions  the  Assembly  would 
earnestly  exhort  the  churches  and  people  under  their 
care,  to  take  into  due  consideration  the  opinions 
above  expressed  ;  to  cultivate  in  themselves,  and  to 
endeavour  to  promote  in  others,  those  simple,  fru- 
gal, and  regular  pursuits,  which  cannot  fail  to  ex- 
ert a  most  benign  influence  on  the  best  interest  of 
society  ;  and  to  train  up  their  children  in  those 
principles  and  habits  which  will  prepare  them  at 
once  to  be  useful  members  of  the  church  and  useful 
citizens.  They  would  especially  entreat  those  in- 
dividuals and  families  belonging  to  their  commu- 
nion, whom  God  has  been  pleased  to  favour  with 
temporal  wealth,  to  consider  the  peculiar  import- 


CHAP.  I.J  MONIES.  35T 

ance  of  their  setting  an  edifying  example  ;  so  that 
their  whole  influence  may  be  employed  to  discour- 
age fashionable  vices  and  amusements,  and  to  pro- 
mote the  simplicity  and  purity  of  christian  practice. 
And  the  Assembly  would  earnestly  exhort  all  the 
ministers  in  their  communion,  to  make  these  senti- 
ments a  subject  of  frequent  and  serious  address  to 
the  people  of  their  respective  pastoral  charges  ;  and 
to  endeavour,  by  all  the  means  in  their  power,  to 
impress  on  the  minds  of  their  hearers  the  all  im- 
portant truth,  that  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  in 
its  vital  power  and  practical  influence,  is  the  best 
friend  of  civil  society,  as  well  as  essential  to  the 
well  being  of  man. 


CHAPTER  II. 


OF  THE  MONIES  IN  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  TRUS- 
TEES  OF  THE  NEW-JERSEY  COLLEGE. 


Sect,   1.     Leslfs  Will. 

A.N  extract  from  the  will  of  Mr.  James  Lesly, 
deceased  ;  attested  by  John  Broom  and  John  Bing- 
ham executors  of  said  Lesly,  was  introduced  and 


858  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.        [PART  XIII. 

read,  and  ordered  to  be  recorded  on  the  Minutes  of 
the  General  Assembly — and  is  as  follows: 

Item.  '^  I  give  and  bequeath  all  the  residue  of 
my  estate,  real  and  personal,  to  the  trustees  of  the 
college  of  New-Jersey,  called  Nassau  Hall,  and  to 
their  Successors,  to  be,  by  the  said  Trustees  and 
their  successors,  constantly  kept  at  interest  on  good 
security  :  and  it  is  my  will  that  the  interest  arising 
from  the  said  residue  of  my  estate  shall  be  appro- 
priated to  the  Education  of  poor  and  pious  youth  of 
the  Presbyterian  denomiuation,  for  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  to  no  other  purpose  whatso- 
ever :  provided  nevertheless,  that  if  it  should  so 
happen  that  the  said  interest  should  in  any  year  be 
more  than  sufficient  to  pay  for  the  education  of  such 
youth,  in  that  year  actually  educated  on  this  fund, 
then  and  in  that  case  the  &aid  Trustees  may  and 
shall  appropriate  the  surplus  of  such  interest  for 
such  year,  towards  the  support  of  a  missionary  or 
missionaries  to  preach  the  gospel  and  administer 
its  ordinances  to  the  frontier  inhabitants  of  these 
United  States ;  if  the  General  xAssembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  these  states  shall  judge  it 
necessary  to  send  missionaries  to  the  frontiers  in  the 
year  in  which  such  surplus  shall  arise;  and  provided 
that  such  surplus  shall  not  exceed  thirty  pounds. 
But  if  the  said  surplus  shall  exceed  thirty  pounds 
New- York  currency,  in  that  case  my  will  is  that 
tJiirty  pounds  of  it  only  be  appropriated  to  the  sup- 
port of  missionaries  as  aforesaid,  and  that  the  residue 
of  such  surplus  be  added  to  the  principal  sum,  and 
put  out  at  interest  with  it.  And  if  it  shall  so  iiappen 
that  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  aforesaid  shall  not  judge  it  necessary  to 
send  missionaries  to  the  frontiers  as  aforesaid,  in 


CHAP.  II.]  MONIES.  359 

the  year  ia  which  such  surphis  shall  arise,  then  it 
is  my  will  that  the  whole  of  such  surplus  shall  be 
added  to  the  capital  or  principal  sum  and  put  out 
at  interest  with  it.'' 

A  true  Copy,  examined  by 

JOHN  BROOVI,       ?  r, 
JOHN  BINGHAM,  5  ^'^'^^*^^''^- 
New- York,  May  7th,  179^. 

Sect  2.     Horton's    Will 

A  clause  of  tlie  will  of  the  late  Mr.  Azariah  Hor- 
ton,  was  laid  before  the  Assembly,  by  Mr.  Foster 
Horton,  one  of  his  executors,  requesting  to  be  di- 
rected, where  he  should  lodge  the  stock  bequeathed 
in  the  said  clause,  agreeably  to  the  intention  of  the 
testator. 

The  clause  is  in  these  words  following  :  viz. 
^^Item,  I  will  and  direct  my  said  executors,  out  of 
the  monies  of  my  estate,  to  purchase  the  amount  of 
five  hundred  and  thirty-three  dollars  and  thirty- 
three  cents  in  six  per  cent,  stock  of  the  United 
States,  and  that  the  annual  interest  thereof  be  ap- 
propriated for  ever  towards  the  education  of  pious 
youth,  according  to  the  discretion  of  a  joint  com- 
mittee of  the  General  Assembly  of  Presbyterian 
Ministers,  and  Trustees  of  Princeton  College  in 
New-Jersey  ;  the  said  committee  to  authorize  and 
empower  from  time  to  time,  a  person,  to  draw  and 
receive  said  interest  for  the  use  and  purpose  afore- 
said." 

Whereupon  resolved.  That  the  above  stock  be 
lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  New- Jersey 
College,  in  order  to  be  applied  in  the  manner  and 
for  the  purpose  contained  in  the  forecited  clause. 


360  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER*        [PART  XIII. 

Sect,  3.  Jin  Extract  from  the  Records  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Princeton  College* 

It  appeared  that  the  committee  appointed  to  at- 
.^^«  tend  the  meeting  of  the  corporation  of 
^  *  Princeton  College,  relative  to  certain  funds 
under  the  controul  of  this  Assembly,  were  not  able 
to  execute  the  business  committed  to  them  ;  but  the 
following  extracts  from  the  records  of  the  corpora- 
tion was  laid  before  the  Assembly  :    viz, 

1.  Resolved^  that  each  of  the  several  funds  men- 
tioned in  the  said  report  be  debited  with  its  pro- 
portion of  the  losses  sustained  by  depreciation,  bad 
debts,  and  abatement  of  interest  during  the  war,  at 
the  rate  of  sixty-six  per  cent,  agreeably  to  the  state- 
ment of  the  committee  of  accounts. 

Sd.  Resolved,  that  the  board  will  appropriate 
the  interest  arising  on  the  money  deposited  with 
them,  by  Messrs.  Teunent  and  Davies,  in  the  year 
1755,  to  the  education  of  such  poor  and  pious  youth, 
as  shall  be  nominated  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church — which  money,  after  mak- 
ing the  deductions  stated  in  the  first  resolution,  is 
one  hundred  and  fifty-two  pounds  six  shillings  and 
five  pence. 

3d.  Resolved,  that  the  interest  arising  on  the  two 
hundred  pounds  sterling,  heretofore  agreed  between 
the  Synod  and  the  Board,  to  be  equivalent  to  tliree 
hundred  pounds  currency,  given  for  the  support  of 
an  Indian  mission,  or  the  support  of  a  youth  to  be 
educated,  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  to  the  Indi- 
ans, shall  be  appropriated  by  the  board  to  the  edu- 
cation of  a  youth  to  be  designated  by  the  General 
Assembly.  This  sum  to  be  subject  to  the  same 
deductions  as  specified  in  the  last  resolution,  and 
which,  when  thus  reduced,  is  one  hundred  and  two 
pounds  currency* 


CHAP.  III.]  HISTORY.  S^l 


CHAPTER  in. 


OF  THE  HISTORY  OF   THE  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH. 


Sect  1.  Measures  adopted  for  collecting  ma- 
ternals^  in  1791. 

A  HE  committee  appointed  to  devise  measures  for 
the  collecting  of  materials  necessary  for  a  history 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  America  reported, 

^^  That  to  procure  materials  for  a  complete  his- 
tory of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  the  United 
States  from  its  beginning,  the  following  informa- 
tion will  be  necessary :  viz.  who  were  the  first 
ministers  in  America,  from  whence  they  came — 
the  internal  and  relative  state  of  the  churches  there, 
where  they  fixed  themselves,  and  when — The  sit- 
uation of  things  so  far  as  it  affected  the  formation 
and  establishment  of  a  Presbyterian  church — ex- 
tracts from  royal  instructions  to  governors  in  the 
colonies  relating  to  ecclesiastical  matters — laws  of 
the  colonies  affecting  religious  liberty — accounts  of 
prosecutions  in  consequence  of  those  laws — when 
each    Presbyterian   congregation   in    the   United 

H  h 


862  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.        [PART  XllI, 

States  was  lirst  formed — and  its  particular  liistory 
from  that  period  to  the  present  time — Avhat  coni^re- 
gations  have  existed  which  are  now  extinct — The 
causes  of  their  extinction — when  Preshyteries  were 
first  formed  in  the  United  States — when  Synods — 
when  the  General  Assemhly. 

^^ir  the  General  Assembly  should  enjoin  upon 
each  of  their  members  to  furnish  as  particularly  as 
may  be  the  history  of  his  own  church,  it  is  proba- 
ble, that  materials  may  be  collected  without  much 
difficulty — the  sooner  it  is  done,  the  better;  as 
time,  accident  and  the  death  of  ancient  people  will 
daily  destroy  some  sources  of  information — The 
materials  might  be  brought  to  the  next  meeting  of 
the  Assembly  and  deposited  with  their  clerk. 

^^  Your  committee  would  farther  subjoin,  that 
the  old  records  of  Presbyteries,  and  Synods  should 
as  far  as  possible  be  produced — and  that  Mr.  Ha- 
zard be  applied  to  for  leave  to  inspect  his  collec- 
tion of  state  papers.'^ 

Upon  motion,  resolved,  that  it  be  enjoined  upon 
each  Presbytery  strictly  to  order  their  members  to 
procure  all  the  materials  for  forming  a  history  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  country,  as  far  as 
may  be  in  the  power  of  each  member  and  bring  in 
the  same  to  their  Presbytery,  and  that  the  Presby- 
teries forward  the  said  collections  of  materials  to 
the  next  General  Assembly  ;  and  that  both  Pres- 
byteries and  members  be  careful  to  conform  them- 
selves to  the  directions  contained  in  a  minute  print- 
ed in  the  extracts  from  the  records  of  this  house  on 
this  subject. 


CHAP.  III.]  HISTORY.  363 

Sect.  2.  Persons  appointed  to  write  the  his- 
tory. 

Whereas  the  Assembly,  for  several  years  past, 
1  sn4  ^^'^^^  ^^^^"  taking  measures  to  obtaiu  mate- 
rials for  a  complete  history  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  ; 
which  materials,  as  far  as  they  have  obtained,  are 
in  the  hands  of  the  Stated  Clerk ;  and  it  seems  ex- 
pedient that  the  history  contemplated,  should  be 
entered  upon  as  soon  as  possible  :  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ashbel  Green, 
and  Mr.  Ebenezer  Hazard,  be,  and  they  hereby 
are,  appointed  to  write  the  History  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly;  and  to 
lay  a  copy  thereof,  when  completed,  before  the 
Assembly  :  tliat  they  have  the  free  use  of  the  ma- 
terials collected  ;  and  that  the  copy  right  of  tlie 
History,  when  finished,  shall  belong  to  the  said 
Dr.  Green  and  Mr.  Hazard. 

And  wiiEiiEAS  there  are  certain  Presbyteries  and 
congregations,  under  the  care  of  the  Assembly^ 
that  have  not  yet  fmnished  materials  for  their  his- 
tory, though  ofren  solicited,  therefore, 

Mesolvedy  Tlir^t  all  the  Presbyteries  and  con- 
gregations be,  and  they  h.ereby  are,  strictly  enjoin- 
ed, to  do  all  in  their  power  to  complete  their  histo- 
ries as  soon  as  possibkN  and  to  forward  them  with- 
out delay,  to  the  said  Dr.  Green  and  Mr.  Hazard, 
resident  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  m  ho  are  here- 
by authorized,  if  they  find  it  necessary,  to  write  to 
the  Presbyteries  and  Congregations  that  may  not 
forward  to  them  the  historical  documents  required ; 


364  MISCELLANEOUS  MATTER.        [PART  XIII. 

and  to  urge  them  to  the  pevforniance  of  their  duty, 
and  to  state  to  tlie  Assembly  the  names  of  those 
Presbyteries  and  Coni5re2;ations,  if  such  there  be, 
^vho  shall  not  ultimately  furnish  the  information 
necessary. 

And  this  Assembly  do  also  hereby  recommend 
to  all  the  people  under  tlieir  care,  especially  gen- 
tlemen of  literature  and  leisure,  within  their 
bounds,  to  furnish  the  gentlemen  appointed  to  this 
service,  ^vith  all  the  information  in  their  power  to 
give,  relative  to  the  history  in  contemplation,  that 
this  important  work  may  be  completed,  in  a  man- 
ner as  accurate  and  satisfactory  as  possible. 

It  was  stated  to  the  Assembly  by  Dr.  Green  in 
^QAo  behalf  of  himself  and  Ebenezer  Hazard, 
esq.  that  from  a  variety  of  circumstances, 
they  find  it  impracticable  to  go  on  with  the  His- 
tory of  tlie  Presbyterian  Church,  which  they 
were  appointed  to  write,  by  an  act  of  the  General 
Assembly,  passed  in  the  year  1804,  and  in  the 
writing  of  which,  they  have  made  considerable 
progress,  and  for  its  continuance  have  in  their 
hands  many  materials.  It  was,  at  the  same  time, 
requested  by  these  gentlemen,  that  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Miller,  13.  D.  might,  if  it  should  seem 
good  to  the  Assembly,  be  appointed  to  receive 
from  them,  all  the  papers,  which  they  possess  rela- 
tive to  the  History  in  question,  and  that  he  be  au- 
thorized and  requested  to  complete  the  same. 

Whereupon  Resolved^  That  all  the  papers  rela- 
tive to  the  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States,  in  the  hands  of  Dr.  Green  aud 


CHAP,  lll.j  HISTORY.  365 

Mr.  Hazard,  be  by  them  deposited  with  Dr.  Mil- 
ler, and  that  he  be  appointed  and  directed  to  con- 
tinue and  complete  said  History  ;  and  that  the  ar- 
rangement in  re.ii;ard  to  the  copy-right  of  this  His- 
tory (wliich  right  has  heretofore  been  assured  to 
Dr.  Green  and  ]\Ir.  Hazard)  be  settled  between 
them  and  Dr.  Miller,  as  shall  be  mutually  satisfac- 
tory  to  the  parties  severally. 


"  Resolved^  That  Dr,  Green  be  associated  with 
1819     ^^*  Miller  in  writing  the  History  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.^^ 


Hh2 


A  SHORT  ACCOUNT 


OF   THE 


mo^^acDii^ 


CONDUCTED  BY 


THE  PEESBYTERMJiT  CHURCH. 


M.  HE  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  country,  was  organised 
at  the  commencement  of  the  last  century.  From  that  early 
period  the  Missionary  cause  began  to  claim  the  attention  of 
her  ministers.  At  first,  indeed,  while  this  counti7  was  but 
thinly  inhabited,  the  number  of  preachers  small,  and  theii' 
congregations  poor,  little  more  was  done  than  to  send  occa- 
sional assistance  to  such  people  as  requested  it  from  Presby- 
teries and  Synods.  Gradually  the  state  of  things  became 
more  favourable ;  and  the  duty  of  sending  the  gospel  without 
solicitation  to  destitute  regions,  was  more  sensibly  felt,  and 
more  easily  performed.  Our  church  has  always  considered 
missionary  labours  as  an  object  of  importance ;  which  has 
been  pursued  sometimes  with  greater,  and  at  other  times 
with  a  less  degree  of  zeal.* 

The  late  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  as  early  as 
the  year  1766,  directed  that  a  subscription  should  be  taken, 
or  a  collect  on  made,  in  all  their  congregations,  vacant  as 
well  as  supplied,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  fund  for  sending 
the  gospel  to  destitute  places.  The  next  year  they  determined 

♦  See  a  Circular  Letter  of  the  Standing  Committee  of  Missions. 


368  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

on  an  annual  collection,  and  adopted  other  suitable  measures 
for  the  accomplishment  of  their  benevolent  design.* 

The  General  Assembly,  which  was  constituted  by  that 
Synod,  met  for  the  first  time  in  Philadelphia,  in  May  1789. 
During  the  sessions  of  that  year,  the  Missionary  cause  claim- 
ed their  particular  attention.  They  directed  the  four  Synods, 
then  existing  under  tlieir  care,  to  recommend  each  two 
missionaries  to  the  next  Assembly :  and  that  funds  might  be 
prepared  to  meet  the  expense  expected  to  be  incurred,  it  was 
enjoined  on  all  the  Presbyteries,  to  take  measures  for  raising 
collections  in  all  the  congregations  within  their  bounds.  Two 
of  the  Synods,  owing  to  tlieir  remote  distance  from  this  city, 
deemed  it  best  to  conduct  the  Missionary  business  in  a  sepa- 
rate capacity.  Their  conduct  was  approved  by  the  Assem- 
bly. The  Synod  of  New  York,  and  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia 
complied  with  the  direction,  and  recommended  Missionaries. 
Four  were  commissioned,  and  among  them  the  late  Dr. 
M'Whorter.  They  were  sent  "  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
churches,  ordaining  elders,  collecting  information  respecting 
tlie  state  of  religion  in  the  frontier  settlements,  and  proposing 
the  best  means  for  establishing  a  gospel-ministry  among  the 
destitute  inhabitants."! 

From  this  time  the  Missionary  business  was  steadily  pur- 
sued by  the  Assembly,  until  the  year  1802,  when  they  ap- 
pointed a  Standing  Committee  of  Missions.  The  number  of 
their  Missionaries  varied  from  year  to  year,  according  as 
more  or  less  could  be  procured  for  the  service.  In  1 800, 
more  vigorous  and  efficient  measures  were  adopted  for  rais- 
ing funds  for  the  support  of  the  Missionary  cause.  Agents 
were  sent  out  with  proper  authority  to  apply  to  the  wealthy 
and  liberal  for  contributions ;  and  by  their  exertions  a  con- 
siderable sum  was  collected,  and  formed  into  a  permanent 
fund.  At  tlie  same  time  the  Rev.  Jedidiah  Chapman  was 
appointed  a  stated  Missionary,  for  four  years,  on  the  north- 
western frontiers.  He  was  directed  to  take  up  his  residence 
in  some  convenient  place  for  accomplishing  the  Assembly's 
views,  and  required  to  perform  annually  six  months  Mission- 
ary labour  on  a  tour  through  the  destitute  settlements,  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  churches,  as  well  as  preaching  the 
gospel.     It  was  made  the  duty  of  Mr.  C.  to  direct  the  routes 

•  See  the  Records  of  Synod:  f  Printed  Extracts, 


OF  MISSIONS.  369 

of  the  Missionaries  sent  to  that  region,  and  to  give  them  ad- 
vice for  executing  their  commissions  to  the  best  advantage  : 
and  another  duty  prescribed  to  him  was,  to  lay  before  the 
Assembly  annually  an  account  of  the  religious  state  of  things, 
the  disposition  of  the  inhabitants  to  receive  the  word,  the  num- 
ber of  organized  churches,  and  the  prospect  afforded  for  the 
establishment  of  more.  This  Missionary  was  designed  as  a 
common  medium  of  communication  between  the  General  As- 
sembly and  the  frontier  inhabitants  and  the  Indian  tribes ; 
through  whom  the  Assembly  were  to  receive  applications  for 
^aid  and  counsel,  and  to  transmit  the  communications  tliey 
might  wish  to  make  to  the  whites,  or  to  the  Indians. 

The  same  year  the  Rev.  James  Hall  was  appointed  a  Mis- 
sionary to  Natchez  for  several  months.  Accompanied  by  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  James  Bowman  and  William  Montgomery, 
v/ho  had  been  appointed  for  the  purpose  by  the  Synod  of  the 
Carolinas,  he  executed  his  commission  in  an  able  and  satis- 
factory manner.  Sensible  of  the  importance  of  this  place,  the 
Assembly  the  next  year  earnestly  recommended  to  the  Synod 
of  the  Carolinas,  to  send  out  one  or  more  Missionaries  to  visit 
it ;  engaging  to  defray  part  of  the  expense,  if  their  funds  should 
prove  inadequate. 

Desirous  of  extending  their  Missionary  operations,  and 
rendering  them  more  efficient,  the  Assembly  in  1801,  sent 
down  to  all  the  Presbyteries  an  order  to  collect  and  transmit 
to  them  such  information,  as  might  enable  them  to  apply 
their  funds  in  the  most  beneficial  manner.  The  information 
contemplated  embraced  the  following  particulars:  The  ap- 
parent disposition  of  the  Indian  tribes  on  our  frontiers  for  ci- 
vilization, and  for  receiving  religious  instruction ;  the  means 
that  had  been  used  for  their  benefit,  and  the  success  of  those 
means;  the  state  of  the  frontier  settlements  of  white  people, 
and  to  what  places  and  persons  religious  books  might  be  sent 
for  gratuitous  distribution;  the  condition  of  the  blacks,  the 
places  where,  and  the  manner  in  which,  it  would  be  most 
advisable  to  attempt  their  instruction ;  and  the  names  of  all 
strcli  persons  as  they  deemed  suitable  to  be  employed  as  Mis- 
sionaries to  the  Indian  tribes,  to  the  frontier  settlements,  and 
to  the  destitute  portions  of  the  interior. 

The  next  year  was  distinguished  by  an  important  altera- 
tion in  the  manner  of  conducting  the  Missionary  business.   T' 


370  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

was  now  become  so  extensive,  that  the  Assembly  found  it 
would  be  impossible,  amidst  the  numerous  concerns  claiming 
their  regard,  to  devote  to  it,  during  the  short  term  of  their 
annual  sessions,  that  time  and  attention  which  its  successful 
and  extended  prosecution  demanded.  To  diminish  their  bu- 
siness, and  to  ensure  a  proper  management  of  the  Mission- 
ary concern,  they  appointed,  in  1802,  a  Standing  Commit- 
tee OF  Missions  ;  prescribing  to  them  the  duties  to  be  per- 
formed, and  clothing  them  with  such  powers  as  were  then 
deemed  sufficient.* 

Immediately  after  the  rising  of  the  Assembly,  the  Commit- 
tee organized  themselves,  and  entered  with  alacrity  on  the 
interesting  duties  assigned  to  them.  One  of  their  first  mea- 
sures was,  a  circular  letter  addressed  to  all  the  Presbyteries 
immediately  connected  with  the  Assembly,  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Missionary  business ;  the  object  of  which  was  to 
obtain  information,  in  regard  to  the  same  points  to  which  the 
Assembly  had  previously  directed  their  attention.  A  circu- 
lar letter  was  also  prepared  and  sent  by  the  Committee  to 
Foreign  Missionary  Societies  :  communicating  to  them  infor- 
mation in  regard  to  the  state  of  Missionary  concerns  in  our 
country  generally,  and  x^articularly  in  our  own  church;  and 
soliciting  answers  to  certain  questions,  from  which  they  hoped 
to  derive  useful  information  to  aid  them  in  the  management 
of  their  important  business.  Due  attention  was  paid  to  this 
letter  by  the  societies  to  whom  it  was  addressed^  and  friendly 
replies  were  received. 

Instructions  too  for  directing  the  conduct  of  the  Mission- 
aries were  prepared  at  an  early  period.  Among  other  direc- 
tions, Missionaries  are  counselled  in  these  instructions,  to 
preach  the  gospel  in  a  plain  and  affectionate  manner ;  but  at 
the  same  time  to  be  prepared  to  resist  cavil  and  silence  con- 
tradiction, whenever  they  should  be  called  to  attempt  it.  They 
are  directed  to  attend  religious  conferences,  and  to  improve 
every  convenient  opportunity  for  giving  catechetical  instruc- 
tion. They  are  directed  to  avoid  all  unfriendly  censures  or 
reflections  on  other  religious  denominations,  and  to  abstain 
from  political  and  party  discussions;  and  to  endeavour  to 
conduct  themselves  as  embassadors  from  the  Prince  of  peace, 
and  to  recommend  the  gospel  to  others  by  a  becoming  chris- 
tian example. 

*  See  Missions,  Chap.  I,  Part  VI* 


OF  MISSIONS.  871 

From  their  first  appointment  till  the  year  1817,  when  they 
were  constituted  a  Board  of  Missions,  clothed  with  full  pow- 
ers to  manage  the  entire  concern  as  they  might  deem  proper, 
this  Committee  prosecuted,  from  year  to  year,  the  important 
business  confided  to  them ;  reporting  annually  to  the  Assem- 
bly an  account  of  their  proceedings,  and  recommending  the 
appointment  of  suitable  Missionaries,  designating  the  regions 
to  which  they  should  be  sent,  and  marking  out  the  routes  on 
which  they  should  labour.  Under  the  conduct  of  the  Com- 
mittee, the  Missionary  business  became  more  and  more  ex- 
tensive ;  and  they  had  the  satisfaction  of  beholding  it  con- 
stantly increasing  in  apparent  usefulness  to  the  cause  of 
religion.  The  first  year  six  Missionary  appointments  were 
made,  and  in  the  year  1816  foity-four. 

The  north-western  part  of  the  state  of  New  York,  was  the 
region  to  which  the  Assembly  first  directed  the  labours  of 
their  Missionaries.  Subsequently  they  extended  their  bene- 
volent aid  to  the  destitute  portions  of  other  states.  Enlarging 
from  year  to  year,  as  their  funds  increased,  and  a  supply  of 
Missionaries  could  be  obtained,  the  field  of  labour,  it  rapidly 
widened,  till  it  has  embraced  destitute  places,  from  the  north- 
ern extremity  of  New  York  to  Natchez  and  New  Orleans,  and 
from  the  eastern  shores  of  the  Atlantic  to  the  western  banks 
of  the  Mississippi. 

While  the  General  Assembly  were  pursuing  the  Mission- 
ary business  by  the  agency  of  their  Standing  Committee, 
some  of  the  Synods,  who  acted  in  this  important  concern  in  a 
separate  capacity,  engaged  in  it  with  considerable  zeal  and 
industry.  The  Synods  of  Virginia  and  Pittsburg,  have  dis- 
tkiguished  themselves. 

The  unhappy  race  of  Africans  in  this  country  have  not  been 
neglected  by  the  Assembly.  Feeling  for  their  wretched  state 
of  moral  degrcdation,  and  desirous  of  conveying  to  them  the 
heavenly  messages  of  that  gospel,  which  knows  no  distinc- 
tions among  men  arising  from  their  circumstances  in  life,  or 
from  the  complexion  of  their  skin ;  but  contemplating  all  as 
sinners,  proclaims  pardon  and  reconciliation  to  all  alike,  who 
will  receive  them  as  freely  offered,  whether  rich  or  poor,  bond 
or  free,  whether  descended  from  Ham  or  from  his  brethren; 
ihey  have  at  different  times  made  efforts  for  their  instruction 


372  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

and  salvation.  A  man  of  colour  and  a  regular  minister  of  the 
gospel,  was  for  some  years  in  succession  commissioned,  for 
a  part  of  his  time,  to  labour  as  a  Missionary  among  the  Blacks 
in  different  southern  states.  For  the  benefit  of  that  same  de- 
scription of  people,  the  Rev.  now  Dr.  John  H.  Rice,  spent, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  of  Missions,  several 
months  in  the  year  for  some  time ;  and  was  honoured,  it  is 
believed,  as  the  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God,  for  blessing 
not  a  few  of  them  with  a  freedom  more  valuable  than  that  of 
emancipation  from  slavery  to  man ;  a  freedom  from  the  do- 
minion of  sin  and  the  thraldom  of  Satan.  Had  the  prospect 
of  a  free  and  unrestrained  exercise  to  his  ministry  in  the 
southern  states  been  more  inviting,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gloucester, 
a  man  of  colour,  would  have  been  commissioned  to  preach 
to  the  Blacks  in  that  part  of  the  Union.  In  the  existing  state 
of  things,  when  he  was  first  licensed  as  a  preacher,  it  was 
judged  best  to  direct  his  labours  for  the  benefit  of  that  people 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Under  the  patronage  of  the  As- 
sembly, he  has  succeeded  in  collecting  a  respectable  congre- 
gation ;  and  by  the  assistance  of  the  Evangelical  Society  of 
that  city,  and  the  donations  of  the  liberal,  a  convenient  and 
decent  house  of  worship  has  been  erected,  in  which  he  has 
successfully  ministered  to  his  people  for  a  number  of  years. 
The  claims  of  this  unhappy  race  of  mankind,  will  not  be  ne- 
glected by  the  Assembly. 

Missions  to  the  Aborigines  of  this  country  commanded  the 
attention  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  an  early  period.  The 
Rev.  David  Brainard,  and  the  Rev.  John  Braiuard,  Avere  both 
members  of  the  late  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia. 
The  former,  who  was  so  eminently  successful  among  the 
Indians,  derived  his  support  from  a  society  in  Scotland. 
But,  to  his  brother  who  succeeded  him  in  his  mission,  the 
Synod  allowed  a  salary  of  ^30  per  annum.  In  the  year  1763, 
they  ordered  a  collection  in  all  their  congregations,  for  the 
support  of  the  Indian  Mission  and  the  Indian  school,  and 
agreed  to  give  to  a  schoolmaster  ^30  for  that  year.  During 
the  same  sessions  they  voted  £65  for  the  relief  of  Mr.  Occam, 
labouring  among  the  Oneida  Indians,  who  received  from  the 
society,  by  whom  he  was  commissioned,  too  small  a  sum  for 
his  support;  and  directed  certain  individuals  to  write  to  that 
society,  requesting  them  to  grant  their  Missionary  a  move  li- 
beral salary.    In  the  year  1766,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Beatty  and  the 


OF  MISSIONS.  37a 

Rev.  Mr.  Duffield,  having  performed  a  mission  among  the 
Indians,  on  the  Muskingum,  and  among  the  frontier  inhabi- 
tants, made  so  favourable  a  report  of  their  reception,  that 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Brainard  and  Cooper  were  appointed  to 
spend  three  months  in  the  summer  of  1767,  in  preaching  to 
the  same  Indians,  and  among  the  inhabitants  in  the  same 
frontier  settlements.  Owing  to  unfavourable  reports  after- 
wards received,  this  mission  was  not  fulfilled.  The  next  year 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  draw  up  a  general  plan  for 
sending  the  gospel  among  the  benighted  Aborigines  of  tliis 
country ;  but  this  too  seems  not  to  have  resulted  in  the  adop- 
tion of  more  extensive  and  efficient  measures  than  had  been 
previously  pursued. 

Missions  to  the  Indians  have  always  claimed  more  or  less 
the  attention  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  since  the  constitu- 
tion of  tlie  General  Assembly.  It  has  already  been  seen,  that 
in  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Chapman,  as  a  Mission- 
ary to  the  northwestern  frontier  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
the  Assembly  had  a  reference  to  the  Indian  tribes,  for  whose 
deplorable  condition  they  sensibly  felt.  Aware  of  their  wishes 
on  this  subject,  the  Committee  of  Missions  regarded  the 
.evangelizing  of  the  pagans  on  our  borders  as  of  primary  con- 
srderation.  In  the  circular  addressed  to  the  Presbyteries  in 
1802,  the  first  year  of  their  appointment,  is  found  this  pas^ 
sage :  "  Missionaries  for  the  Indians  is  a  great  desideratum 
with  the  Assembly.  The  hope  of  contributing  to  send  the 
gospel  to  the  heathen  tribes,  prompted  the  liberality  of  many, 
who  have  contributed  most  largely  to  tlie  funds  which  the 
Assembly  have  at  com^mand  :  ai^.d  it  was  with  the  deepest  re- 
gret, that  the  last  Assembly  found  that  they  had  not  a  single 
candidate  for  an  Indian  Mission.  If  your  Presbytery  can  no- 
minate one  who  is  well  qualified,  it  will  be  an  important  ac-* 
quisition." 

The  next  year  a  Missionary  was  obtained.  The  Rev.  Gideon 
Blackburn,  while  attending  the  General  Assembly  as  a  mem- 
ber, was  invited  to  meet  the  Committee.  Finding,  in  the 
course  of  a  conversation  with  him  in  regard  to  the  Cherokee 
Indians,  that  he  was  willing  to  engage  in  a  Mission  to  that 
people,  the  Committee  recommended  his  appointment  as  a 
Missionary  for  two  months.  He  was  accordingly  appointed 
by  the  Assembly.  The  object  of  his  mission,  as  stated  in 
his  commission,  was,  to  carry  to  that  benighted  people  "  the 


374  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

gospel  and  the  arts  of  civilized  life."  In  accordance  uiih  thi^> 
object,  Mr.  B.  vvas  instructed  to  establish  a  school  uithin  the 
territory  of  the  United  States,  but  near  the  border  of  the  In- 
dian country,  for  tlie  purpose  of  affbrdinij  g-ratuitous  instruc- 
tion to  their  children ;  and  he  "svas  authorized  to  employ  a 
schoolmaster  to  conduct  the  business  of  the  school,  under  his 
direction  and  superintendence.  It  was  left  to  the  discretion 
of  Mr.  B.  to  determine,  whether  in  the  course  of  his  Mission 
it  would  be  proper  to  preachy  as  tlie  principal  design  was  "  to 
conciliate  the  friendship  of  the  Indians,  and  prepare  the  way 
for  extensive  usefulness  among  them  at  a  future  day."  As  it 
was  foreseen  that  the  maintenance  of  this  Mission  to  the  In- 
dians, would  require  a  much  greater  expenditure  of  money 
than  the  funds  of  the  Assembly  could  afford  to  be  appropri- 
ated to  o'^ie  object,  Mr.  B.  was  furnished  by  the  Committee 
with  a  recommendatory  certificate ;  authorizing  him  to  solicit 
assistance,  and  commending  him  to  the  liberality  of  all  who 
were  disposed  to  favour  the  instruction  and  evangelizing  of 
the  Indians. 

Such  were  the  incipient  measures  adopted  by  the  Commit- 
tee at  the  commencement  of  this  Mission.  When  Mr.  Black- 
burn visited  the  Indians,  he  found  that  they  preferred  having 
the  school  established  in  their  own  country;  and  as  they  pro- 
posed this,  it  was  deemed  proper  to  comply  with  their  wishes. 
They  promised  to  send  their  children  to  the  school  for  three 
years,  by  way  of  experiment;  and  engaged,  if  it  sliould  suc- 
ceed according-to  their  expectations,  to  alloM'  it  to  be  perma- 
nently located  among  them.  A  schoolmaster  was  procured, 
who  was  willing  "  to  relinquish  the  enjoyments  of  civilized 
life,  and  remove  with  bjs  smr-11  family  into  the  wilderness,  and 
live  among  savages  " 

The  expense  of  this  establishment  soon  became  much 
greater  than  was  expected  ;  so  that  in  the  year  1 805,  although 
a  donation  of  S300  had  a  litde  before  been  made  to  it,  by  the 
Missionary  Society  of  New  Jersey,  it  became  necessary,  in 
order  to  relieve  it  from  embarrassment,  to  appropriate  for  its 
support  not  less  than  S5O0  more.  The  number  of  Indian 
children  in  the  school,  amounted  to  from  45  to  50;  and  as 
they  were  not  only  educated,  but  fed  and  clothed  by  the  estab- 
lishment, the  expense  incurred  so  increased,  that  from  this 
year  the  Assembly  annually  allowed  out  of  their  funds  to  the 
amount  of  go 00  for  its  support.     To  enable  the  Missionary  to 


OF  MISSIONS.  375 

devote  more  of  his  time  in  superintending  this  important 
Mission,  as  well  as  to  encourage  and  reward  his  labours,  liis 
term  of  service  was  gradually  increased  from  two  to  six 
months  in  the  year.  Still  further  to  assist  Mr.  Blackburn  in 
maintaining  his  establishment,  the  Committee  procured  and 
forwarded  to -him  donations  in  books,  blankets,  medicine,  and 
clothing.  The  school  flourished  for  some  years.  Specimens 
of  the  hand  writing  and  of  the  com  position  of  the  Indian  chil- 
dren, were  at  difierent  times  presented  to  the  Committee,  and 
by  them  laid  before  the  Assembly;  which  were  regarded  as 
pleasing  evidences  of  the  improvement  of  the  pupils  in  use- 
ful knowledge.  From  the  Governor  of  Tennessee,  as  well  as. 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Union,  satisfactory  testimonials  were 
received  in  regard  to  the  manner  in  which  the  school  was 
conducted,  and  the  progress  made  by  the  Indian  children. 

The  Indians  were  so  highly  gratified  by  the  experiment 
made,  and  anticipated  such  great  advantages  from  the  edu- 
cation of  their  children,  that  they  became  anxious  for  the 
establishment  of  more  schools,  and  expressed  their  desire  so 
strongly  on  the  subject,  that  Mr.  Blackburn  detennined  to 
institute  a  second  school  amonp;  them  at  his  own  risque;  re- 
lying upon  the  interposition  of  divine  providence  for  the  means 
of  its  support.  Previously  to  the  month  of  May  1806,  there 
were  already  in  that  school  thirty  scholars.  The  Committee 
of  Missions,  while  they  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  to  apprize  their 
Missionary  that  circumstances  would  not  authorize  them  ta 
burden  tiie  funds  of  the  Assembly,  by  engaging  to  support 
this  nev/  establishment,  cheerfully  aided  him  by  their  patron- 
age in  the  tour  which  he  made  through  some  of  the'Castern 
states,  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  money  for  the  schooJ. 
At  his  request  they  also  agreed  to  give  their  opinion,  in  re- 
gard to  the  compensation  to  which  he  might  be  entitled  for 
his  additional  labours  ;  and,  for  the  protection  of  his  charac- 
ter, to  msert  in  their  books  his  accounts  for  the  second,  as 
v/ell  as  for  the  first  school. 

Mr.  Blackburn  collected  on  his  tour  nearly  §5500.  But 
the  support  of  the  two  institutions  became  too  expensive  to  be 
sustained  by  the  funds  procured.  After  continuing  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  General  Assembly  till  the  year  1810,  he  retired 
from  his  Mission;  assigning  as  reasons  for  his  resignation, 
want  of  health  and  an  intention  of  changing  the  place  of  his 
residence. 

The  letter  of  Mr.  B.  announcing  his  resignation,  was  re- 


;i76  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

♦:eived  by  the  Committee  during  the  sessions  of  the  Gencru.' 
Assembly  that  year;  and  in  reporting  on  this  subject,  they 
lamented  that,  after  so  much  time  had  been  spent,  and  such 
great  expenses  incurred,  in  conducting  the  Mission  to  the 
Cherokees,  and  when  the  great  objects  of  the  Mission  ap- 
peared to  be  almost  within  the  reach  of  the  Missionary,  the 
want  of  health  and  other  causes  should  compel  him  to  aban- 
don his  benevolent  laboui's.  By  his  letter,  however,  which 
was  read  to  the  Assembly,  they  were  encouraged  to  hope, 
"  that  the  fruit  of  his  labours  would  not  be  lost,  and  that  a  har- 
vest, though  retarded,  might  yet  be  gathered  from  the  seed 
sown  among  the  Cherokees." 

"  To  Mr.   Blackburn's  long,  patient,  and  laborious    ser- 
vices, while  acting  as  the  Assembly's  Missionary,"  the  Com- 
.  mittee  bore  honourable  testimony. 

Other  labourers  have  gone  to  reap  the  harvest  among  that 
nation.  It  was  the  Committee's  intention  to  prosecute  this 
Mission ;  but,  while  they  were  looking  for  Missionaries  pos- 
sessing suitable  qualifications  for  the  work,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Kiiigsbury,  acting  under  the  authority  of  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  foreign  Missions,  established  in  New  England, 
pafjsed  through  this  city  to  occupy  the  field  in  which  our  Mis- 
sionary had  been  labouring  for  so  many  years.  When  Mr. 
K.  waited  on  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  to  know 
wJiether  they  had  any  objections  to  his  Mission  to  the  Chero- 
kf»es,  he  was  informed  that  the  Committee  could  not  object 
to  his  labouring  for  the  benefit  of  that  benighted  people ;  but 
h  e  was  at  the  same  time  distinctly  apprized  of  their  design  to 
r«»sume  the  Mission,  as  soon  as  providence  should  be  pleased 
t'3 furnish  them  with  suitable  missionaries. 

In  the  year  1814,  a  Mission  was  projected  for  the  benefit 
f>i  the  Indians  in  and  about  Lewistown,  Ohio.  The  Rev. 
James  Hughs,  designing  to  remove  to  that  State,  offered  to 
"undertake  the  Mission  ;  and  the  Committee,  having  full  con- 
'iidence  in  his  prudence  and  judgment,  capacity  and  experi- 
ence, readily  accepted  his  services.  The  design  of  this  Mis- 
sion was  to  teach  the  Indian  youth  the  art  of  cultivating  the 
ground,  as  well  as  to  instruct  them  in  other  branches  of  know- 
ledge human  and  divine.  For  this  purpose  an  attempt  was 
made  to  procure  from  government  a  section  of  land  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Lewistown,  on  which  the  youth  might  be 


OF  MISSIONS.  377 

employed  in  the  business  of  agriculture,  while  they  were  at- 
tending to  the  instructions  of  the  school.  Failing  in  their  ap- 
plication to  government,  the  Committee  was  authorised  by 
the  Assembly,  to  purchase  a  sufficient  quantity  of  land  for 
farming  :  but  as  Mr.  Hughs  found,  after  having  prosecuted 
his  Mission  two  or  three  years,  that  the  Indians  were  in  an 
unsettled  state,  owing  to  a  prevalent  disposition  among  them 
to  remove  beyond  the  Mississippi,  it  was  deemed  expedient, 
to  give  up  the  Mission. 

The  Board  of  Trust  of  the  Western  Missionary  Society, 
composed  of  members  of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  have  dis- 
covered a  commendable  zeal,  and  shown  much  judgment  in 
the  management  of  Indian  ^lissions.  At  Sandusky  they  es- 
tabhshed  a  Mission  for  the  benefit  of  this  unfortunate  race  of 
men  in  the  year  1806.  Their  ultimate  design  was  to  evange- 
lize the  savages:  but  to  facilitate  the  attainment  of  this  great 
object,  they  estabhshed  a  school  for  the  instruction  of  their 
children,  whom  they  fed  and  clothed;  and  procured  land  for 
the  purpose  of  assisting  in  the  support  of  the  establishment^ 
and  of  teaching  the  Indians  the  important  business  of  agricul- 
ture. On  the  farm  they  had  erected  the  necessary  buildings  ; 
the  school  consisted  of  30  or  40  scholars  ;  and  the  Mission  was 
going  on  in  a  prosperous  way  till  the  late  war;  when  the 
building,  having  been  burnt  and  the  improvements  destroyed 
by  the  enemy,  the  Mission  v.as  suspended. 

The  same  Board  in  consequence  of  a  pressing  and  personal 
application  from  Cornplanter,  the<:hief  of  the  six  nations,  re- 
solved, in  1814,  to  establish  a  Mission  among  those  tribes. 
The  application  seemed  very  remarkable;  being,  as  far  as 
the  Board  knew,  entirely  voluntary  on  the  part  ofthe  Old  Chief. 
The  hand  of  God  was  gratefully  noticed  and  acknowledged. 
Cornplanter  requested  that  the  gospel  might  be  sent  to  his 
people,  and  that  their  children  might  be  instructed  as  chris- 
tian children  are  taught;  promising  at  the  same  time  to  use 
his  influence  with  the  Indians,  to  induce  them  to  comply  with 
such  regulations  as  might  be  necessary  for  the  establishment 
and  success  ofthe  Mission. 

,  The  first  Missionary,  sent  in  compliance  with  this  request, 
was  affectionately  received  by  the  Old  Chiefand  other  Indians. 
He  lamented  his  own  and  his  people's  blindness  in  spiritual 
things ;  but  expressed  a  hope,  that  as  he  had  prayed  to  tlie 
Great  Spirit,  he  was  about  to  bring  them  out  of  darkness, 

li  2 


378  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

and  to  teach  them  how  to  fear  and  serve  God,  and  keep  hi.s 
Sabbaths.  The  Indians  agreed  to  provide  for  their  children 
boarding-  and  lodging,  without  any  expense  to  the  society , 
and  the  Chief  promised  to  furnish  a  school  house,  a  dwelling 
for  the  teacher,  together  with  a  farm,  if  it  should  be  judged 
proper  to  occupy  it. 

In  such  favourable  circumstances  was  this  Mission  estab- 
lished. The  school-master  succeeded  in  gaining  the  confi- 
dence of  the  Indians.  A  Missionary  was  appointed  to  preach 
among  them  a  part  of  the  year.  The  progress  of  the  scholars 
exceeded  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  the  Board.  They 
had  not  been  under  tuition  more  than  eighteen  months,  be- 
fore the  specimens  of  their  writing  were  forwarded  to  the 
Committee  of  Missions  for  inspection.  The  influence  of  Mr, 
Oldham,  the  teacher,  over  the  Indians,  was  very  propitious. 
'•  The  Sabbath,"  stater  the  Board,  in  one  of  their  communi- 
cations, "  is  observed  in  a  very  different  manner  from  what  it 
ivas  before  ;  a  number  of  the  Indians  attend  punctually  at  the 
.school-house,  v.'here  they  meet  on  the  Lord's  day  for  social 
prayer  and  reading  the  scriptures.'* 

The  Old  Chief  manifested  a  great  concern  for  the  success, 
of  the  Mission,  and  exerted  all  his  influence  in  favour  of  it. 
On  one  occasion  he  addressed  Mr.  Fairchild,  a  Missionary, 
when  he  had  finished  his  discourse,  tluis ;  "  I  am.  very  glad 
that  we  have  all  met  this  evening,  and  that  all  is  well  with  us. 
We  are  much  indebted  to  the  Great  Spirit  for  his  care  over 
lis.  I  rejoice  that  he  sends  the  ministers  so  frequently  to  visit 
us;  ,and  I  cannot  be  thankful  enough  that  they  are  taking  so 
much  pains  with  us.  I  fear  they  will  be  discouraged  v/ith  us  : 
for  when  they  come,  they  find  us  so  poor,  ignorant,  and  stu- 
pid. I  hope,  however,  they  will  not  give  us  up :  and  I  be- 
lieve the  Great  Spirit  is  among  you,  and  that  you  v.ill 
-succeed." 

The  General  Assembly  manifested  their  readiness  to  assist 
in  prosecuting  the  Missionary  establishment  at  Sandusky;  for 
when  it  was  represented  that  the  institution  of  a  second  school 
among  the  six  nations  was  important,  they  agreed  to  allow 
annually  for  its  support  three  hundred  dollars,  and  authorized 
the  Board  to  locate  it  wherever  they  might  deem  proper, 
whether  the  place  should  fall  within  the  bounds  of  the  Synod 
of  Pittsburg  or  not.  This  school,  however,  has  been  rendered 
unnecessary,  in  consequence  of  the  attention  paid  to  the  in- 


OF  MlSSlOxNS.  37*9 

struclion  of  these  Indians  by  another  denommation  of  chris- 
tians. 

In  the  autumn  of  1818,  the  school  at  Cornplanter's  town, 
owing  to  the  occurrence  of  several  obstacles,  and  the  removal 
of  a  number  of  Indian  families  from  the  town  and  country 
round  about,  was  discontinued.  To  preserve,  however,  the 
fruits  of  the  Mission,  the  Board  of  Trust  endeavoured  to  per- 
suade a  number  of  the  Indian  boys,  who  had  made  some  con- 
siderable progress,  to  prosecute  their  education;  and  as  an 
inducement,  they  offered  to  bring  them  into  christian  society, 
to  clothe  and  support  and  instruct  them  gratuitously.  This 
benevolent  offer  proving  ineffectual,  the  Board  were  reluct- 
antly obhgcd  to  give  up  all  hopes  of  further  success  for  the 
present. 

Not  discouraged  by  these  impleasant  circumstances,  the 
Board  of  Trust  are  still  directing  their  attention  to  the  abori- 
gines of  this  country.  In  their  last  report  they  informed  the 
Board  of  Missions,  that  one  of  their  members,  the  Rev.  Elisha 
M'.Curdy,  had  been  sent  to  visit  tlie  Wyandot  Indians  on  the 
Sandusky,  with  a  view,  if  favourable  prospects  should  invite? 
to  establish  a  Mission  among  that  tribe  of  savages. 

Desirous  of  carrying  on  the  Missionary  business  with 
greater  efficacy  and  to  a  greater  extent,  the  Assembly  oi 
1818  constituted  the  Committee  into  a  Board  of  Missions, 
increased  their  number,  and  enlarged  their  powers.  The 
Board  have  now  full  powers  to  transact  all  the  busiricss  of  the 
Missionary  oause ;  and  are  only  required  to  make  an  annual 
report  of  their  proceedings  to  the  Assembly,  and  to  receive 
ii'om  them  any  counsel  and  advice  they  may  be  pleased  to 
give.  ,At  the  same  time  the  Board  were  authorized  and  di- 
rected to  take  measures  for  establishing  Auxiliary  Missionary 
Societies  throughout  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  compliance  with  this  direction,  of  the  Assembly,  the 
Board,  soon  after  their  regular  organization,  prepared  and 
published  an  address  to  all  our  churches ;  recommending  the 
formation  of  one  or  more  Auxiliary  Missionary  Societies 
within  the  limits  of  each  Presbytery,  and  the  establishment  of 
Missionary  Associations  in  each  congregation  auxiliary  to  the 
societies  :  and  to  facilitate  the  operation  of  the  plan,  they  pub- 
lished m  connexion  with  their  address,  draughts  of  constitu- 
tions for  the  societies  and  the  associations.  This  plan  has 
received  the  particular  approbation  of  the  Assembly;  who 


380  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

have  repeatedly  and  wunnly  recommended  it  to  the  notice  of 
the  Presbyteries  and  churches.  The  Synod  of  Virginia,  who 
liad  previously  conducted  the  Missionary  business  in  a  sepa- 
rate capacity,  have  directed  their  Presbyteries  to  organize  so- 
cieties on  the  plan  proposed  by  the  Board.  Presbyteries,  be- 
longing to  otlier  Synods,  have  become  auxiliary  in  this  im- 
portant concern ;  and  other  auxiliary  societies  have  been  form- 
ed in  several  places.  Should  this  plan  be  more  generally 
adopted;  should  all  the  Presbyteries  act  on  it  with  vigour; 
and  should  numerous  associations  be  formed  in  our  congre- 
gations;  it  will  be  the  means  of  introducing  greater  unity  in 
the  operations  of  our  Church  in  this  all-important  concern, 
and  of  carrying  them  to  an  extent  far  beyond  what  they  have 
ever  yet  reached.  How  desirable  is  it  that  the  Church  should 
concentrate  her  resources  and  her  energies,  in  order  to  con- 
vey the  blessings  of  salvation  to  the  destitute,  both  in  our  own 
land  and  among  the  pagans,  who  are  perishing  forw^ant  of  the 
bread  and  the  water  of  life  1 

The  same  year  in  which  the  Board  of  Missions  was  consti- 
tuted, the  Assembly  adopted  measures  that  have  resulted  in 
the  establishment  of  the  United  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety. Believing  that  a  new  society  for  conducting  foreign 
Missions,  composed  of  members  belonging  to  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  and  of  other 
churches  holding  the  same  creed,  as  vrell  as  of  members  be- 
longing to  their  own  church,  might  be  formed;  the  General 
Assembly  appointed  a  committee  to  correspond  with  those 
churches.  The  proposition  met  with  such  a  cordial  recep- 
tion from  the  Supreme  Judicatories  of  our  sister  churches, 
that  the  committee  were  enabled  to  report  to  the  next  Assem- 
bly, the  constitution  which  had  been  prepared  for  the  society, 
embracing  members  from  the  three  denominations,  and  all 
others  who  may  wish  to  unite  with  them. 

The  object  of  this  society  is  to  spread  the  gospel  among 
the  Indians  of  Nortli  America,  the  inhabitants  of  IVIexico  and 
South  America,  and  in  other  portions  of  the  heathen  and 
anti-christian  world.  No  alteration  can  be  made  in  the  Con- 
stitution without  the  consent  of  the  highest  judicatories  of  the 
three  denominations;  and  for  their  infoi-mation,  the  Board  of 
Managers  are  required  by  the  constitution  to  lay  before  them 
their  annual  report.  This  society  hold  their  annual  meetings 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  in  the  month  of  May ;  and  select 
their  Missionaries  from  the  three  churches  indiscriminately. 


OF  MISSIONS.  881 

At  an  early  period  of  their  operations  the  Managers  con- 
templated South  America  as  an  inviting  field  for  Missionary- 
labour;  and  in  execution  of  their  design  had  engaged  two 
young  men  to  visit  different  sections  of  that  interesting  por- 
tion of  the  globe,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  moral 
and  religious  condition  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  prospects 
that  might  offer  for  the  successful  establishment  of  a  Protest- 
ant Mission.  But,  having  afterwards  learnt  from  correspond- 
ence with  intelligent  individuals,  who  were  well  acquainted 
with  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  places  contemplated,  and  the 
watchful  jealousy  of  the  established  religion,  that  the  pros- 
pects were  too  discouraging,  they  resolved  to  relinguish  their 
design  for  the  present,  and  wait  for  more  favourable  openings 
of  divine  providence.  They,  however,  still  keep  their  eye 
on  that  portion  of  our  globe,  and  hold  a  correspondence  with 
the  American  consul  at  Valparaiso,  for  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing information  in  regard  to  the  probability  of  success  in  the 
establishment  of  a  Protestant  Mission  in  Chili  or  the  adjacent 
eountry,  and  the  probable  expense  that  would  be  incurred  in 
conducting  it.  ' 

Two  young  men,  licensed  preachers  of  the  gospel,  being 
commissioned  as  Agents  by  the  Board,  went,  in  May  last,  to 
the  Missouri  Territory,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the 
state  of  the  Indian  tribes,  and  selecting  a  proper  spot  for  a 
Missionary  station.  InfoiTnation  has  just  been  received  fromL 
the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  society,  that  Mr.  Chap- 
man, who  has  returned  from  his  tour,  reports  that  he  was 
well  received  by  the  Indians,  and  that  a  covenant  has  been 
made  with  them.  A  Missionary  establishFjent  among  the 
Osages  will,  therefore,  be  immediately  undertaken  by  the 
Board  of  Managers ;  and  the  establishment,  when  completed, 
will  embrace  not  only  ministers  of  the  gospel,  to  instruct  them 
in  the  knowledge  of  divine  things,  but  other  persons,  both 
male  and  female,  capable  of  teaching  them  the  art  of  farm- 
ing, and  other  elementary  branches  of  knowledge,  calculated 
to  improve  domestic  life,  and  bring  them  into  a  state  of  civi- 
lization. 

The  prospects  of  this  infant  society  are  fla|ttering.  Con- 
sidering the  resources  on  which  they  may  draw,  it  is  reason- 
able to  expect  that  their  opera'dons  will  constantly  increase ; 
and  that,  under  their  cultivation,  blest  with  the  dew  of  heaven, 
the  wilderness  will  blossom  as  the  rose,  and  the  solitary  place 
be  made  glad. 


3S2  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

Wlicn  the  Committee  of  IVIissions  commenced  their  h\- 
bours,  they  found  the  fields  demanding  cultivation  exceed- 
ingly extensive.  Wherever  they  directed  their  eyes  to  the 
frontiers  of  this  country,  they  beheld  vast  regions  of  moral 
desolation.  Among  the  inhabitants  they  saw  many  who  had 
formerly  enjoyed  the  means  of  grace ;  some  in  Avhosc  hearts 
dwelt  the  principles  of  true  religion ;  and  others  who  had 
been  instructed  in  the  great  doctrines  of  our  common  salva- 
tion. To  cherish  and  preserve  from  extinction  these  seeds  of 
knowledge  and  of  grace,  was  deemed  important.  It  was  sup- 
posed that  even  occasional  discourses  preached  to  people,  in 
such  circumstances,  would  produce  beneficial  effects.  In- 
fluenced by  this  consideration,  tlie  Committee,  while  they 
had  vast  regions  to  supply,  and  but  few  Missionaries  at  com- 
mand, were  induced  to  prescribe  to  them  extensive  routes ; 
looking  fonvard  to  the  time,  when  more  favourable  circum- 
stances would  enable  them  to  circumscribe  their  itinerations 
within  narrower  bounds.  At  an  early  period  of  their  labours, 
they  were,  however,  aware  of  the  advantages  that  would  re- 
sult from  confining  their  Missionaries  within  such  limits,  as 
would  afford  them  opportunities  for  preaching  frequently  in 
the  same  places,-  and  to  the  same  audiences.  Their  opmiou 
on  this  point  they  expressed  to  the  Assembly  in  their  first  re- 
port; but  stating,  at  the  same  time,  that  as  the  field  demand- 
ing cultivation  was  so  exceedingly  large,  the  cry  of  the  des- 
titute for  relief  so  pressing,  and  the  Missionaries  so  few,  they 
deemed  it  best,  in  view  of  ail  circumstances,  to  prescribe  to 
the  Missionaries  extensive  routes. 

The  result  has  sanctioned  the  correctness  of  the  Commit- 
tee's judgment  Sparks  of  religion,  which  might  otherwise 
have  perished,  have  been  preserved  alive ;  the  hopes  of  the 
pious  have  been  encouraged  to  look  forward  to  better  days, 
when  they  would  be  favoured  with  more  frequent  opportuni- 
ties of  hearing  the  word  of  lite ;  and  tlie  thoughtless  have  been 
kept  from  falling  into  utter  forgetfulness  of  the  very  form  of 
religion. 

It  has  been  the  wish  and  the  purpose  of  the  Committee,  as 
it  now  is,  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  to  form  circuits  of  narrower 
limits,  and  to  station  in  tb.cm  suitable  Missionaries.  In  this 
way,  it  is  believed,  numerous  congregations  might  be  organ- 
ized and  cherished,  until  they  should  acquire  sufficient 
strength  to  support  the  gospel  without  assistance.  But,  while 


Ol^  MISSIONS.         ^  '         383 

lliis  is  coiitcmplated  as  a  desirable  plan  of  operation  for  a  part 
of  the  Missionaries  that  may  be  employed  by  the  Assembly's 
funds,  it  is  still  deemed  proper  to  continue  to  prescribe  to 
others  more  extensive  routes.  Difficulties  have  opposed  the 
execution  of  the  former  part  of  the  plan,  so  that  it  has  not 
been  acted  on  as  fully  as  was  designed.  The  cry  of  distress 
is  heard  from  all  quarters;  and  different  sections  of  the  church 
expect  to  have  attention  paid  to  their  applications  for  Mission- 
ary aid.  But  the  principal  difficulty  has  arriscn  from  inabi- 
Hty  to  procure  a  succession  of  suitable  Missionaries  to  occupy 
the  different  stations.  A  region  cultivated  one  year,  is  left  to 
barrenness  the  next,  for  want  of  a  labourer.  And  not  unfre- 
quently  are  the  Board  obliged,  in  prescribing  routes,  to  com- 
ply with  the  inclination,  or  govern  themselves  by  the  situ- 
ations, of  the  Missionaries  at  command. 

But  this  difficulty,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  removed  in  the 
course  of  time.  The  Theological  Seminary  of  the  General 
Assembly,  has  furnished  a  number  of  valuable  Missionaries. 
To  that  institution  the  Board  are  looking  for  a  succession  of 
well  instructed  youth,  who,  animated  by  a  Missionary  zeal, 
will  devote  at  least  a  portion  of  their  time,  to  carry  the  mes- 
sages of  grace  to  the  destitute  and  perishing.  The  supply  that 
may  be  expected  from  the  Seminary,  together  with  what  may 
be  derived  from  former  sources,  will,  we  trust,  greatly  faci- 
litate and  increase  our  Missionary  operations. 

It  is  inatter  of  pleasing  reflection,  that  the  attention  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  was,  at  so  early  a  period,  turned  to  the 
Missionary  business,  and  that  she  has  prosecuted  it  with  grow- 
ing zeal.  He?  laboui-s  have  been  amply  rewarded.  She  now 
beholds  her  Presbyteries  and  her  Synods,  spreading  their  nu- 
merous congregations  over  regions,  where  formerly  her  Mis- 
sionaries passed  rapidly  along,  blowing  the  trumpet  of  the 
gospel,  and  proclaiming  to  the  scattered  inhabitants  the  ti- 
dings of  salvation. 

God  has  been  pleased  to  smile  upon  the  labours  of  our 
Missionaries.  They  have  been  honoured  as  the  insti-uments 
of  preserving  infant  churches,  of  estabhshing  new  congre- 
gations, of  reclaiming  many  sinners  from  the  error  of  their 
ways,  and  of  comforting  and  edifying  the  pious.  The  suc- 
cess attending  their  labours  has  been  for  some  years  past 
greatly  increasing.     It  furnishes  matter  to   our  church  for 


384  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

thanksgiving  and  praise  to  Almighty  God,  and  abundant  en 
couragement  to  persevere  in  her  work  and  labour  of  love. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  has  done  well  in  comparison  with 
other  churches  in  this  country.  F>ut  has  she  done  her  duty  ? 
So  numerous  are  her  congregations  that  an  annual  contribu- 
tion of  one  quarter  dollar  from  each  individual,  would  yield 
an  ample  revenue  for  carrying  on  all  the  Assembly's  opera- 
tions in  favour  of  the  Redeemer's  cause,  to  a  much  greater 
extent  than  they  are  at  present.  If  such  funds  were  at  com- 
mand, Missionaries,  it  may  be  said,  could  not  be  procured 
in  sufficient  numbers  to  occupy  them.  But  let  it  be  remem- 
bered, that  the  Assembly  need  funds  for  the  support  of  the 
Seminary,  and  of  young  men  while  prosecuting  their  studies 
for  the  ministry,  as  well  as  for  the  support  of  Missions. 

If  our  church  had  done  her  duty  fully,  years  ago  would  she 
have  estabUshed  her  Theological  Seminary ;  and  from  tliat 
sacred  fountain  richer  and  wider  streams  would  have  flowed 
forth  to  water  her  tender  and  precious  plants,  and  made  her 
beautiful  and  deUghtful  as  the  garden  of  the  Lord.  Many  a 
waste  place  might  have  been  reclaimed  from  barrenness; 
springs  of  water  might  have  burst  forth  in  the  desert ;  the 
wilderness  might  have  budded  and  blossomed  as  the  rose ;  and 
where  now  the  voice  of  impiety  prevails,  and  shocks  the  pious 
car  with  profane  cursing  and  swearing,  songs  of  praise  to  our 
Immanuel  might  have  been  sung. 

Read6r,  put  the  question  to  yourself.  Have  you  done  your 
duty  ?  Have  you  contributed  according  to  your  ability,  or 
used  your  influence  in  persuading  others  to  replenish  the  trea- 
sury of  the  Lord  ? 

To  the  cause  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  and  our 
Saviour,  should  be  consecrated  the  talents  of  the  learned,  the^ 
wisdom  of  the  wise,  the  wealth  of  the  rich,  the  mites  of  the 
poor,  the  faith  and  prayers  of  all.  Let  the  Presbyterian  Church 
call  forth  and  combine  all  her  energies  in  the  work  of  her 
Lord  and  Master:  and  then,  favoured  with  his  gracious  and 
effectual  aid,  the  results  will  be  such  as  to  surpass  the  mo^t 
sanguine  expectations.  The  blessing  of  unborn  generations 
will  descend  upon  her.  Let  every  hand  act ;  let  every  heart 
breathe  out  the  prayer,  ''  Thy  kingdom  come." 


INDEX 


PAGE. 

Accused  to  have  due  notice  ,         .         .        ^        323 

Act  of  Incorporation  .         .         .         .         .         .         192 

Adjournment,  rule  about  .....         321 

Albany  Presbytery  of,  plan  of  correspondence  with  the 

Northern  Associate  Presbytery         .         .         309 
Synod  of,  plan  of  correspondence,  &c.  .         310 

Appeal  may  be  made  from  the  Presbytery  to  the  As- 
sembly     .         .         .         .         .         .         .         321 

rule  about,  when  the  appellant  does  not  appear    331 

improper  conduct  in  regard  to  .         .      ,    332 

who  may  not  vote  in  cases  of        .         .         .         332 

persons  having  scruples  about      .         .         .         321 

Assembly  General,  constitution  of        .         .         13 — 15,  38 

organization  of     .         .         .  16 — 18 

mode  of  doing  business         .         18 — 30 

officers  of     .         .         .         .  30 — 36 

attendance  on         .         .         .         76,  77 
Address  to  the  ministers,  &c.  of  the 

Presbytery  of  Abingdon  .         1 34 

letter  of,  to  Rev,  D.  Rice  .         148 

give  advice  about  the  present  state 
of  things         ....         355 

may  order  a  new  trial        .         .         325 
Association  General,  of  Connecticut,  plan  of  union  with 
altered       ......       292 

Kk 


386  INDEX. 

PAGfc, 

Association  General,  of  New  Hampshire,  plan  oi"  union  303 

altered 304 

of  Massachusetts  .  305 

Associate  Reformed  Church  .         .  .312 


B. 

Baptism,  cases  of 94 — 9S 

not  invalidated  ])y  the  unworthiness  of  a  minister     9  4 

engagements  to  be  required  .  .  95 

invalid  when  administered  by  Unitarians     .  96 

to  be  administered  to  children  of  slaves  96 — 98 

persons  having  scruples  about  .         .  98 

qualifications  of  parents  for         .         .  108,  329 

Baptised  children  to  be  assembled  .         .         .         Ill 

a  reference  about  .         .         .         327 

report  of  a  committee  on  the  subject  of 

disciplining        ....         328 
indefinitely  postponed  .         .         329 

Banknotes 186 

Bible  classes  recommended      .....  108 

•  aid  of  requested  .         .         .         .  185 

Board  of  Trust  of  the  Synod  of  Ohio         .         .         ,         212 


Certificates,  a  rule  about  .         .         .         .         .         116 

Churches  sister,  their  judgments  to  be  respected  336 

Charges  should  be  specific         .....         320 
Children,  rules  about  catechizing  ...         73,  74 

Clerk  permanent ,  30 

stated 31 — 35 

temporary ib. 

Committees  appointed  by  the  Assembly      .         .         19 — 23 

rules  relating  to        ...         .         ib.— ib. 

Confession  of  Faith  to  be  circulated  ...  75 

scripture  proofs         .         .         125,   126 

what  editions  to  be  purchased  158 

Constitution,  measures  preparatory  to       .         .         ,         120 

adopted 122 

amendments  to  .         .         .         .         151 

alterations  to 156 

to  be  respected  in  conducting  trials  of  320 

Convention  of  Committees,  &c 119 

Vermont,  plao  of  union     .        .        .        300 


INDEX.  387 

PAGE. 

Creeds,  utility  of . '       135 

Creedof  Rev.  H.  B.  condemned        .         .         .         .         129 
Cumberland,  persons  styling  themselves  Presbytery  of     157 


D. 

Delegates  to  the  Associations,  how  chosen         .         .  307 

compensation  of       ....          .  308 

to  carry  printed  extracts            .         .         .  306 

Directors,  mode  of  choosing  .         .  .        265 — 267 

Divmity,  time  of  studying 128 

E. 

Education  of  pious  youth  recommended            .  22  L 

Presbyteries  to  report  in  writing        .         .  224 

recommendation  in  regard  to  funds  for  225 

General  Board  of,  determined  on     .         .  226 

constitution  of       .         .  228 

Elders  from  vacant  congregations               ...  44 

m  ay  resign  their  official  relation  to  a  congregation  3 1 9 

unconstitutionally  elected       ....  322 

Excommunication  the  higher             .         .         .         .  68 

distinct  from  deposition         .         .  71 

Extracts,  printed  rules  about             .         .         .         .  80 


F. 

Fund  Missionary  159,  Resolutions  about  159,  plan  for 
managing   161,  annual   collections  for 
167,  exertions  for  increasing  it  167,  in- 
structions in  regard  to  collections 
Commissioners',  plan  for         .         .         . 

injunction  relating  to 
Permanent     .  ..... 

Seminary's 

annual  collection  for 
societies  for  aiding  it  recommended 
plan  for  such 
Female  Associations  recommended 

Widows' 

Subscription  papers       .... 
.  Forms  of  Bequests  .... 


G. 

Gospel  plan  of  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Davis  condemned 


168 
171 
175 
169 
177 
186 
178 
178 
182 
188 
184 
187 


144 


388 


INDEX. 


H. 


History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 


PAGE. 

361 
materials  for  ib. 

persons  appointed  to 
write       .         .         363 


Intemperance,  measures  to  prevent 
Impulses,  immediate,  opinion  about 
Intolerance,  testimony  against 


113 
151 

337 


Law  suits,  prevention  of 

Libraries,  congregational,  recommended 


M, 


78, 


Marriage,  cases  of     . 
M.  Adow,  Sec.  letter  to      .         .         . 
Mail,  the  running  of         .         .         . 
Ministers  without  charges 

how  divested  of  their  office 
deposed  to  be  published 
support  of         .         .         . 
having  civil  offices  .... 

should  read  portions  of  printed  extracts 
how  to  act  in  regard  to  duellists 
should  promote  prayer  meetings 
should  refrain  from  offering  ardent  spirits 
should  endeavour  to  repress  intemperance 
travelling 
Ministry  .qualifications  of,  candidates  for 
diligence  in         .         .         . 
rule  about  recommending  candidates  for 
Missionaries  may  administer  ordinances 

must  regard  their  instructions 
Missions,  Domestic  .... 

recommendation  about 
contributions  for 
directions  relating  to 
Standing  Committee  of 
Presbyteries  and  Synods  not  to  inter- 
fere with  instructions  of 
Board  of,  constituted  .         , 


112 

78 


99—106 
139 


348 
60 
69 
71 

272 

274 

275 

275 

276 

277 

278 

278 

77,  318 

79 

323 

278 

279 

202 

76 

80 

205 

202 


207 
208 


INDEX.  389 

PAGE. 

Missions,  Domestic  plan  of  recommended       .        2 1 3 — 2 1 5 
Oneida  Presbytery  referred  to  2 1 4 

Missions  Foreign 216 

Missionary  Society,  Foreign,  constitution  of      .         .         217 

amendments  to  .         219 

Missionary  business,  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  resign  208 

Moderator  of  the  Assembly,  his  duties  16 — 19,  24—28 


O. 


Oixlination  sine  titulo 


48,  65—68 


P. 

Plan  of  union  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phila- 
delphia ........ 

Poor,  care  of  recommended      ..... 

Presbyteries  constituted  52,  Abingdon  53,  Albany  58, 
Baltimore  54,  Carlisle  55,  Columbia  57, 
Geneva  58,  Huntingdon  56,  Hanover  53, 
Lexington  54,  Oneida  58,  Philadelphia  55, 


117 
HI 


Transylvania 

duties  of         ...         . 

53 
61—72 

how  to  dismiss  a  minister     . 

62 

not  to  interfere  with  each  other 

60,  61 

to  pay   due  regard  to  order  in 
candidates 

receiving 

318 

have  a  right  to  receive  members 

324 

Professors,  mode  of  choosing 

Psalmody 

265 
313 

R. 

Refonned  Dutch  Church 

311 

Registers  to  be  kept           .... 
Regulations  about  foreign  ministers 

92 

280 — 290 

^fethodist  ministers     . 

294 

Reports  on  the  state  of  religion  to  be  written 

82 

rules  about 

83—86 

forms  for 

87,  88 

special  injunctions  about 

to  be  made  to  the  Board  of  Missions 

89 
90 

Rice  Rev.  D.  letter  to       .         . 

148 

Rules,  general,  of  the  Assembly 

particular  of  do. 

about  calling  a  pastor     . 
Rule  about  a  new  trial      .... 

24—27 

27,  28 

333 

323 

390  INDEX. 

PAGE 

S. 

Sabbath,  persons  violating 107 

Schoolmasters,  rule  about 112 

Scholarship,  rule  relating  to     .         .         .         .         .  183 

Seminary,  Theological,  proposed      .         .         .         ■.         231 
one  determined  on        .         .         234 
the  plan  for  ...         239 

design  of  239,  power  of  the  As- 
sembly 243,  directors  244,  pro- 
fessors 246,  attainments  250,  de- 
votion 253,  students  255,  library 
257,    funds    258,    location   260, 
agreement  with  the  trustees  of 
the  college  of  New  Jersey  261 

Agents,  £cc.        •  .  269 — 271 

Sessional  records      .         .         .         .         .         .         .  72 

Slavery,  opinion  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phila- 
delphia about        .         .         .         ....         338 

of  the  Assembly  .         .        339 — 341 

Society,  American  Colonization,  recommended         .         347 

Societies,  moral Ill 

Standards  of  our  Church,  adherence  to  recommended 

140 — 142 

Students,  a  rule  relating  to  62 — 65 

Synods  constituted,  Albany  40,  41,  theCarolinas  38,  41, 
Geneva  41,  Kentucky  40,  42,  44, 
New  York  and  :  hiladelphia  37,  N. 
Carolina  42,  Ohio  42,  Philadelphia 
38,  Pittsburg  39,  S.  Carolina  and 
Georgia  42,  Tennessee      .         .  44 

books  of 46 

Presbyteries  to  be  divided  by  .         .         .  44 

Presbyteries  how  to  be  received  by  .         48,  49 

powers  of  a  commission  of  ...  45 

unconstitutional  act  of  a         .         .         .         .  47 

may  censure  Presbyteries  for  receiving  members 
improperly        .         .         .         .         .         .         324 

may  not  try  a  minister  unless,  8cc.         ,         .         ooo 

T. 

Testimony  of  a  man  and  his  wife,  when  to  be  taken  1 14 

before  a  session  sufficient  in  cases  of  reference  1 1 5 

case  of 72 


INDEX.  39t 

PAGE. 

Tract  societies  recommended  •  ■  "  .  50 

Treasurer  of  the  Trustees  ....         35,  36 

Trustees,  act  for  incorporating         .         .         .         .  192 

mode  of  choosing      .         .         •         .         .         198 

mode  of  intercourse  between  the  Assembly, 

and 200 

Trustees  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  monies  in  their 
hands  .         .:.....         357 

U. 
Union  between  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists  on 

the  frontiers  plan  of 297 

published       .......         299 

Universalists  not  to  be  admitted  to  sealing  ordinances     92,  93 
Vices  condemned  .         .  ...         351 

W. 

Widows'  fund  recommended            .         .         .         .  81 

account  of 188 

WUl,  Lesley's 357 

Horton's .  359 


i 


DATE  DUE 

f^' 

V,,., 

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PmtNTtO  IN  U    S.A 

summary- Spffr 


1    1012  01031   9327 


